NEPTUNE'S    ISLE 


NEPTUNE'S 
ISLE 

AND  OTHER  PLAYS  FOR 
CHILDREN 


BY 

JOHN   JAY    CHAPMAN 


NEW    YORK 

MOFFAT,  YARD  &  COMPANY 

TQIT 

LONDON: 

ARTHUR  F.  BIRD,  22  BEDFORD  ST.,  STRAND 
AGENCY  FOR  AMERICAN  HOOKS 


COPYRIGHT,  I  Q  I  I,  BY 
JOHN  JAY  CHAPMAN 


THE  •  PLIMPTON  •  PRESS  •  NORWOOD  •  MASS  •  U  •  8  •  A 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

NEPTUNE'S  ISLE i 

A  FAMILY  QUARREL,  A  PLAY  FOR  THE  NURSERY  .  71 

WILFRID  THE  YOUNG,  A  DRAGON-PLAY  FOR  BOYS  95 
CHRISTMAS  ONCE   MORE,  A  SACRED  CANTATA 

FOR  CHILDREN 163 


2049739 


NEPTUNE'S    ISLE 
A   PLAY  FOR   CHILDREN 


CHARACTERS 

KING  OF  TROEZENE 

QUEEN 

LEON,  their  son 

BACCHYLIDES,  a  poet,  tutor  to  Leon 

TISIAS,  a  soothsayer 

PHORMIO,  a  priest  of  Neptune 

AGLAIA,  a  young  priestess 

MYRMO,  a  young  satyr 

GLAUCUS,  General-in-chief  of  Troezene 

lo,  a  cook 

CANCHRAX,  a  captain  of  Mitylene 

A  SEA-CAPTAIN  AND  SAILORS 

AN  OLD  BEGGAR 

NEPTUNE 


NEPTUNE'S    ISLE 
ACT  I 

THE    PALACE    AT   TROEZENE KING,    QUEEN, 

LEON,  AND  BACCHYLIDES 

KING.     (To  Leon.} 

Deliver  all  these  letters  to  my  friends, 
Thy  hosts  in  the  Ionian  lands  of  Greece. 
That  you  will  thrive  I  know:  there  is  some  gift 
That  makes  men  love  thee,  in  thy  countenance, 
And  they  receive  thee  as  a  deity. 

LEON 
Perhaps  because  they  know  I  am  a  prince. 

KING 

Enough  of  that,  —  a  bookish  contemplation. 
Youth  feeds  upon  imaginary  facts. 
You'd  be  a  closet  Plato:  you  in  ink 
Would  drown  the  hope  of  a  just-peeping  mind. 

LEON 

I  thought  myself  contented  with  Troezene, 
And  with  the  daily  brightness  of  the  fields,  — 
My  books  to  sweeten  statecraft,  and  my  heart 
Bent  on  the  bettering  of  all  my  folk. 
So  thought  I  to  live  out  a  useful  day 
Sunny  and  unambitious.     But  I  know 
My  thoughts  are  immature. 

3 


4  NEPTUNE'S    ISLE 

KING 

Nay  wise,  —  nay  wise; 
But  uninformed.     It  all  is  as  you  think, 
But  oh  so  different,  Leon ! 

QUEEN 

You  do  go 
Just  for  a  season. 

LEON 
I  submit. 

KING 

Consider  all  this  journey  as  a  mirror. 
Accept  it  as  a  book,  a  thought,  a  picture. 
Take  it  as  decoration  if  you  will; 
For  'tis  no  more.     But  give  it  intellect. 

LEON 
I'll  strive  to  see  it  so. 

KING 

There's  a  brave  lad.  How  now,  Bacchyl- 
ides?  Are  your  arrangements  made?  Can  you 
leave  with  this  youngster  by  noon? 

BACCHYLIDES 

Your  Majesty  knows  that  tutors  have  light 
luggage,  and  poets  never  anything  more  than 
paper  parcels.  I  have  my  two  laurel  crowns, 
packed  in  my  traveling  case,  —  one  for  every 
day  and  one  for  festivities.  I  cannot  well  do 
with  less.  A  bottle  of  the  best  Egyptian  ink 
and  four  reeds,  plucked  from  the  bed  of  the 
Ilissus  at  sundown.  Your  Arcadian  poetry 
is  well  enough  —  when  it  is  penned  by 
Athenians.  What  more  do  you  ask?  Ah, 


NEPTUNE'S    ISLE  5 

a  skin   of   wine,  —  a    skin    or    two,  —  ballast, 
your  Majesty. 

KING 

Ballast,  no  doubt. 

BACCHYLIDES 

Leave  the  lad  to  me.  He  wants  nothing  but 
education,  manners,  ideas,  proper  clothing,  car- 
riage, and  a  good  heart  to  make  him  a  pre- 
sentable young  man.  Leave  him  to  me,  your 
Majesties.  I  am  Athenian:  I  am  of  the  very 
dregs  and  fundament,  —  Heracles'  grandson, 
a  scholar. 

QUEEN 

In  truth  he  has  shown  more  liveliness  since 
you  came  here,  Bacchylides;  but  you  must 
not  overwork  him. 

BACCHYLIDES 

Time,  madam,  time,  and  a  deprivation  of 
ladies'  society.  These  provincial  palaces  — 
begging  your  Majesties'  pardon  —  are  always 
full  of  unoccupied  females,  that  do  nothing 
but  mend  shirts  and  tear  open  hearts.  They 
tear  and  they  mend,  tear  and  mend;  and  this, 
together  with  the  out-at-elbows  philosophers 
and  retired  wisemen  who  surround  all  experi- 
ence with  a  picket  fence  of  sharp  pointed  talk  — 
KING 

You  mean  Tisias  the  sage. 
QUEEN 

A  most  excellent  man.  He  comes  from 
Mitylene,  and  is  one  of  the  best  soothsayers 
of  a  private  kind. 


6  NEPTUNE'S    ISLE 

BACCHYLIDES 

Yes,  I  mean  him.  And  I  ask  pardon;  for  I 
may  not  have  a  chance  to  speak  before  leaving. 
I  mean  Tisias,  Tisias  of  Mitylene.  I  do  not 
speak  ill  of  any  man,  least  of  all  of  an  educator. 
I  say  nothing  against  him.  God  forbid  that 
I  should  criticize  or  impugn  him!  But  of  all 
mean,  cowardly  cheats  —  of  all  scuttling  and 
skulking  thieving  persons  —  yes,  I  say  persons 
—  and  I  speak  in  all  openness  and  charity — 
beware  of  him.  I  would  not  presume  to  utter 
a  suspicion  in  your  Majesties'  presence;  but 
I  repeat  —  beware  of  him.  He  is  a  serpent. 
The  word  "tisis"  means  expiation  in  the  Greek 
tongue  —  (Enter  in  haste  Tisias,  a  nervous, 
emaciated  man  of  fifty-five.  Bacchylides  per- 
ceives him.}  The  Greek  tongue,  —  the  Greek 
tongue  is  spoken  in  all  the  Ionian  lands, 
and  my  young  friend  and  I  will  thus  be  able 
to  make  ourselves  understood  at  all  the 
courts. 

TISIAS 
(Paying  no  attention  to  Bacchylides.) 

Your  Majesties,  my  examination  of  the  en- 
trails shows  that  the  journey  may  be  under- 
taken with  safety.  I  have  set  it  all  down  in 
the  cosmograph.  The  rabbits  which  I  use  for 
this  thaumaturgy  come  from  Thebes  and  are 
above  suspicion.  (Gives  a  paper.) 

BACCHYLIDES 

Hast  thou  drawn  all  this  forecast  out  of  the 
bowels  of  a  dead  rabbit,  Tisias? 


NEPTUNE'S    ISLE  7 

KING 

Peace,  Bacchylides:  it  is  his  profession. 
QUEEN 

Let  me  see.  The  reading  shows  no  danger 
that  hangs  above  the  prince?  (Takes  the  paper 
and  examines  it.)  It  is  better  that  these  things 
should  be  examined  in  serious  quietude. 

TISIAS 

Much  better,  Madam.  I  have  here  certain 
indications  — 

KING 

Bacchylides,  withdraw. 
Leon,  I'll  see  thee  on  the  water's  edge 
And  send  my  blessing  with  thee. 

(Exeunt  Bacchylides  and  Leon.     King  turns  to 

the  Queen  and  Tisias.) 

The  worst  is  come:   he's  dead  in  love  with  her. 
And  she  a  priestess  vowed  to  Neptune's  temple, 
A  lily  vestal,  —  dedicated  nun. 
And  I,  my  kingdom  on  the  raging  shore 
Exposed  to  the  exasperated  flood, 
And  open  to  the  treacherous-smiling  King 
Who  claims  me  for  his  grandson. 
Neptune,  Neptune!     This  was  thy  trap. 
Know,  Tisias,  my  friend, 

This  babe  at  first  was  cast  up  by  the  sea,  — 
Thrown  in  the  rolling  pebbles  of  the  shore 
By  fawning  hounds  of  Neptune;   I  stood  near 
And  as  she  op'd  a  round  and  turquoise  eye 
Like  some  benefic  jewel  of  the  sea, 
Hard,  confident,  and  yet  confiding  too, 
I  wrapped  the  sea-mite  in  warm  seaweed  round 


8  NEPTUNE'S    ISLE 

And  bore  her  to  the  palace,  marveling. 

And  as  I  walked  I  seemed  to  see  some  shore 

Like  a  live  opal  in  a  pearly  sea, 

Clouded  with  shining  vapors,  —  a  green  isle,  — 

An  island  in  transparent  vapors  set, 

And  crowned  with  glassy  green.     The  oracles 

Did   with   one  tongue    declare   her   Neptune's 

child 

Which  he  confides  to  me  for  bringing  up. 
At  which  a  costly  temple  did  I  raise  - 
As  much  in  fear,  as  worship,  of  the  God. 
And  as  a  ward  of  the  Eternal  Gods 
(Full  fifteen  summers  passing  like  a  dream) 
She  lived  within  my  kingdom. 
TISIAS 

I  have  known 

Something  of  this,  not  all.     And  what  per- 
suades you 
The  prince's  thought  has  found  her? 

KING 

Everything. 

He  wanders  in  the  fields,  he  dreads  my  eye, 
He  eats  too  little,  goes  to  bed  too  late, 
Gets  up  too  early,  chats  in  smoky  huts 
And  plays  the  god  to  peasants.    But  his  air! 
The  serious  and  hypocritic  mien 
With  which,  may  heaven  forgive  me,  he  re- 
sponds 

When  questioned  on  his  studies.    Leon's  studies ! 
His  bedroom  is  a  snake's  nest  of  old  clothes, 
His  desk  a  hospital  for  broken  pens, 
Burnt  candles,  leather  fobs,  and  bits  of  chalk. 


NEPTUNE'S    ISLE  9 

And,  wrapping  them,  O  Phoebus!   half  a  verse. 
Original,  inspired,  —  in  the  spelling; 
And  in  the  substance,  dead  and  drowned  with 
love. 

(He  produces  it.) 

QUEEN 

You  must  not  read  the  lines.  I'll  put  them  back. 
(Takes  them.) 

KING 
Tisias  found  them. 

TISIAS 

But  I  did  not  read  them. 
I  went  there  searching  for  a  Latin  grammar. 

KING 

A  most  unlikely  place  to  find  a  book. 
But,  Tisias,  enough.     Your  zeal  I  know; 
And  your  professional  accomplishments 
Shall  find  the  public  reason  for  this  journey. 
Kings  may  have  private  reasons  in  their  breast, 
Which  through  good  augury  are  then  expressed. 
See  you  provide  the  reason. 

(Exit    Tisias.) 

KING.     (To  Queen.) 

When  he  returns  he  must  not  find  her  here. 
These  ragged  schoolboy  passions,  once  aflame, 
Will  not  be  quenched  except  in  wider  fire. 
I  would  not  for  the  wealth  of  all  my  state 
Corrupt  the  dedicated  maidenhood 
Planted  as  by  a  heavenly  miracle 
Upon  my  soil.     She  must  be  rapt  away 
And  grafted  in  the  college  for  young  nuns 


io  NEPTUNE'S    ISLE 

Ere  his  return :  to  Corinth  shall  she  go. 
Send  me  the  maid. 

QUEEN 

She  is  as  innocent  of  ill-intent 
Or  knowledge  that  his  inward  taper  burns  — 

KING 

No  doubt,  no  doubt.    All  sin  is  innocent: 
This  is  the  cause.     Go,  send  the  maid  to  me. 

QUEEN 

But  be  not  rough  with  her. 

KING 

Rough  with  a  lily,  — 
Or  reprehend  a  blossom  on  the  brier! 
Go,  and  be  patient.    Not  such  toys  as  these 
Do  break  my  sleep. 

(Exit  Queen,  enter  Glaucus.} 
Now,  Glaucus,  thy  gray  eyes  look  melancholy. 
The  scouts  upon  our  northern  coasts  are  keen. 
What  see  they? 

GLAUCUS 

My  eyes  see  nothing  ;  but  my  scouting  thoughts 
Have  seen  the  downfall  of  a  monarchy. 

KING 

Nay,  nay!   Some  shift  must  serve  — 

GLAUCUS 

The  gold  is  gone 

For  which  the  Orchomenian  mercenary 
Served  you  so  well.    Our  soldiers  mutiny, 
And  our  hereditary  enemy, 
The  bitter,  black,  and  Mitylenian  horde, 
Hang  o'er  our  griefs,  like  vultures  in  the  wind. 


NEPTUNE'S    ISLE  11 

For  they  by  secret,  unsuspected  spies, 
Keep  well  informed  of  our  most  private  woe; 
While  all  the  inward  crumble  of  our  state, 
That  comes  from  unthrift,  hands  us  on  to  ruin. 
Money  must  save  us. 

KING 

Then  impose  a  tax. 
GLAUCUS 

Your  Majesty  doth  jest.    Our  last  relief 
Came  from  a  free-will  offering  of  the  poor; 
For  so  our  richest  burghers  must  be  called. 

KING 

Indeed  they  are  so.    Those  devoted  souls 
Have  sold  their  plate  for  us. 
GLAUCUS 

One  plan  remains  — 
KING 

I  knew  your  enterprise  would  find  one  out. 
Of  course  a  plan  remains,  a  plain  strong  plan  — 
A  plan  is  all  we  need.     Your  thoughts,  good 
Glaucus. 

GLAUCUS 

Your  Majesty  doth  know  that  for  some  years 
All  the  JEgean  flocks  to  Neptune's  fane, 
Which  from  a  little  unobtrusive  shrine 
Has  grown  into  a  rich  and  famous  Temple 
Whose  treasury  is  ever  at  flood  tide, 
Whose  tablets,  pictures,  statues,  blocks  of  gold, 
And  hammered  armory  of  votive  gift, 
Lend  you  the  proudest  name  by  which  fame 

knows  you, 
"The  Poseidonian  King." 


iz  NEPTUNE'S    ISLE 

KING 

Well,  well,  go  on.     Your  plan  — 

GLAUCUS 

Is  that  you  seize  this  wealth  to  build  your  state, 
To  pay  the  soldiers,  fill  the  treasury, 
And  set  our  fainting  war  upon  its  feet. 

KING.     (Rising.) 

Not  for  an  empire!     Go,  ignoble  man, 
And  get  employment  in  some  pirate  isle 
Where  theft  and  cunning  make  a  chancellor 
And  murder  makes  a  king.    I  need  you  not: 
I  live  by  Neptune's  gift.    Out  of  the  waters 
My  kingdom  came,  a  new  and  sacred  isle, 
To  meet  the  prayers  my  shipwrecked  ancestor 
Sent  up  to  feeling  Jove, — 
Out  of  the  waters !    And  this  craggy  rock 
May  sink  again  and  leave  me  in  the  sea 
Ere  I  will  lift  a  hand  to  steal  an  acre. 

GLAUCUS 

You  take  but  to  preserve;   the  vulture  town 
Of  Mitylene  swoops  upon  it  else. 

KING 

No  more!  I'll  not  a  word  of  it!  No  more. 
Send  me  the  little  priestess.     I  intend 
To  safeguard  all  that  Deity  doth  send. 

(Exit  Glaucus,  enter  Aglaia   accompanied  by 
Phormio,  a  large  fat  priest.) 

KING.     (To  priest.) 
You  may  remain  without. 

(Exit  Phormio.) 

Aglaia,  little  daughter  of  the  sea, 
Wilt  thou  not  fade  and  perish  on  dry  land, 


NEPTUNE'S    ISLE  13 

Like  those  cloud-colored  infants  of  the  deep 
That  turn  to  tears  if  we  would  handle  them  ? 

AGLAIA 

Your  Majesty? 

KING 

Art  thou  content?    But  what  bears  questioning? 
It  must  be  done.    Thy  father  is  a  god, 
And  I  his  servant.    Thou  art  dedicate. 
Something  important  hinges  on  thy  life, 
Not  yet  divulged  to  us.    Art  thou  content? 

AGLAIA 

Ever  I  am  content  to  light  the  tapers, 
And  with  great  hazel  boughs  to  sweep  the  cell; 
But  who  I  am,  or  what,  I  do  not  know. 
Someone  has  whispered  that  I  am  your  daughter 
Whom,  for  I  know  not  why,  you  must  disown. 

KING 

Someone's  a  fool!    No,  no,  Aglaia,  no! 
I  found  thee  in  the  sea. 

AGLAIA 
Ah,  that  is  good! 

KING 

It  was  the  close  of  a  long  afternoon, 
And  o'er  the  margin  shallows  and  bright  pools 
The  mist-born  star  of  evening  drank  the  wave. 
I  to  the  outer  shelvings  of  the  ebb 
Had  wandered  like  a  web-foot  animal 
Lapping  the  scene.    And  thou  cam'st  rolling  in — 
A  bundle  of  child's  clothing,  —  nay,  a  child. 

AGLAIA 
Ah,  that  was  good. 


I4  NEPTUNE'S    ISLE 

KING 
I  would  have  kept  thee,  but  the  god  forbade. 

AGALIA 
Believe  me,  I  do  love  thee. 

KING 

I  was  told 

To  hide  thee  from  the  ruffle  of  the  world, 
Nor  take  the  gift  for  mine!    I  guard  it  so. 

AGLAIA 
Believe  me,  I  do  love  thee. 

KING 

Gentle  Aglaia, 

If  thou  be  Neptune's  daughter,  as  'tis  said, 
He  will  protect  thee.    But  my  duty's  clear. 
Our  temple  is  a  kind  of  market-place, 
Crowded  with  worship,  littered  and  defiled 
With  every  Mediterranean  mariner, 
Tramp-king,  and  roving  prophet.    You  must  go, 
Till  your  probationary  year  be  past, 
And  dwell  within  the  school  for  priestesses 
At  Corinth;  where  the  caverns  of  the  shore 
Resound  with  faint  aeolian  harmonies 
Unheard  by  men,  and  where  the  undulous  wave 
Rises  and  falls  forever. 
And  nothing  but  the  blink  of  holy  nuns 
Receives  the  rippling  half-light  upward  shot 
From  Neptune's  pavement.   There  the  god  may 

come, 
But  else,  no  spirit. 

AGLAIA 
No  spirit  else? 


NEPTUNE'S    ISLE  15 

KING 

It  cannot  be  forever  —  that  I  feel  — 
Yet  must  be  now.    I  grudge  the  god  his  child. 
You  cannot  help  but  know  it. 

AGLAIA 

I  will  go. 
But,  sir  — 

KING 

Nay  speak.     (She  kneels.) 

AGLAIA 
For  you  'tis  plain.    You  have  your  oracle. 

KING 

Thine  shall  be  given  thee. 

(Voices  without;  she  rises.  Enter  Prince 
Leon  and  Bacchylides  with  their  luggage, 
also  a  sea-captain  and  mariners.  Enter 
from  the  other  side  Queen,  Tisias,  Glaucus, 
and  Phormio.} 

BACCHYLIDES 

The  winds  are  favorable  and  our  ship 
Is  dancing  at  her  cable.     This  young  lad 
Bids  old  and  young  adieu. 

KING 

It's  but  a  step  to  see  you  to  the  beach. 

(He  takes  Bacchylides  by  the  elbow.  In  case 
scenery  is  used,  a  slip  curtain  goes  up  and 
shows  all  on  the  beach,  and  a  ship  at  anchor 
with  sails  up.  If  there  is  no  scenery  these 
things  must  be  imagined.) 


16  NEPTUNE'S    ISLE 

KING 

Friends,  we'll  attend  the  prince.     A  tidy  vessel 

And  colored  with  exulting  fantasy. 

I  love  a  lively-painted,  jolly  bark, 

And  sails  that  make  a  picture  of  the  sea. 

With  what  a  curt'sy  and  a  beckoning  motion . 

The  hussy  rides!     Leon,  my  blessings  take; 

Come  soon  again. 

(Leon  kneels  solemnly,  and  tableau.} 

QUEEN.     (To  Bacchylides.) 
Have  you  his  thickest  tunic  in  the  bale? 
They  say  the  winds  at  Tyre  are  very  shrewd. 

BACCHYLIDES 
I  have  provided. 

(Enter  an  old  beggar  in  evident  haste  and  awe. 
All  turn  towards  him,  without,  however, 
breaking  the  tableau.) 

OLD  BEGGAR 

Watching  the  dim  and  solitary  sea, 

I  saw  great  Neptune  lift  his  even  brow 

And  look  serenely  through  the  plunging  wave. 

Unstained  forever  hung  his  heavy  locks, 

His  eye  as  brilliant  as  the  emerald, 

But  motionless,  —  as  if  its  thought  controlled 

The  bright,  smooth-flashing  coursers  of  the  deep 

That  drew  him  onward. 

(Curtain.) 


ACT  II 

SCENE   I  -  AN    ISLAND 

(Enter,  as  from  a  shipwreck,  Tisias  and  Phor- 
iOj  carrying  a  chest.) 


TISIAS.     (With  a  chart  in  his  hand.) 
This  island  is  not  on  Ptolemy's  map. 

TISIAS 

Nor  these  fogs  neither.  Of  what  good  is  a 
chart  unless  the  fogs  are  set  down  plainly? 

PHORMIO 

It  is  certain  that  we  ran  for  three  days 
straight  before  a  fair  southwest  wind,  passing 
Crete,  Cyprus,  Rhodes,  Skyros,  Naxos;  being, 
as  the  captain  told  us,  somewhat  aided  by  the 
Phocaean  current. 

PHORMIO 
That  was  before  the  rudder  broke. 

TISIAS 
Yes;   the  storm  may  have  put  us  out  a  little. 

PHORMIO 

There  were  four  days  when  the  wind  was 
black  and  the  sun  did  not  rise,  or  seem  to. 

TISIAS 

That's  the  point.  Now  in  what  direction 
was  the  wind  during  those  four  days?  If  we 
could  find  that  out  we  should  know  all. 

17 


i8  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

PHORMIO 

All  that  was  after  the  captain  fell  overboard. 

TISIAS 

He  fell  at  the  first  clap  of  thunder,  like  a 
weathercock,  into  the  foaming  brine. 

PHORMIO 
God  rest  him.     We  are  alive. 

TISIAS 
We  are  ruined. 

PHORMIO 

Nonsense,  nonsense.  When  we  find  out 
where  we  are,  we  can  make  up  a  story  as  to 
how  we  got  here. 

TISIAS 

And  all  this  treasure  belonging  to  the  god 
Neptune  — 

PHORMIO 

It  is  no  more  than  our  share,  —  a  small 
trifle,  a  doorkeeper's  fee  for  showing  the  rest  to 
the  Mitylenians.  Trouble  not  yourself  about 
that.  It  will  pay  our  passage  away  from  this 
island*  We  are  at  least  here  upon  dry  ground, 
from  which  we  may  defy  Neptune  and  all  his 
works.  Where  is  the  little  priestess? 

TISIAS 

Below  in  the  cove  picking  blackberries;  from 
which  blackberries,  if  they  are  ripe,  I  intend  to 
reckon  the  latitude  of  the  isle. 

PHORMIO 

Tisias,  you're  a  fool. 


NEPTUNE'S   ISLE  19 

TlSIAS 

How?    What  do  you  say? 
PHORMIO 

When  I  asked  the  King  to  let  you  take 
passage  on  this  ship  to  Corinth,  it  was  to  save 
your  life,  was  it  not? 

TISIAS 

It  was  in  order  that  I  might  not  be  at  Troe- 
zene  when  the  Mitylenians  arrived  and  the 
loss  of  the  treasure  was  discovered. 

PHORMIO 
Good:   your  life  I  saved. 

TISIAS 
You  saved  my  life! 

PHORMIO 

I  am  bearing  you  to  safety.  And,  as  the 
captain  and  the  crew  have  been  lost,  and  some- 
one must  take  command  of  the  expedition  — 

TISIAS 
Yes,  Phormio. 

PHORMIO 

There  must  be  authority.  And  besides  this, 
Tisias,  your  conversation  fatigues  me.  There- 
fore, I  make  you  my  servant. 

TISIAS 
Your  servant! 

PHORMIO 

For  the  voyage  only.  On  arrival  I  shall  set 
you  free.  It  is  for  the  sake  of  discipline,  and 
because  I  have  a  plan  as  to  our  life  here.  It 
has  occurred  to  me  as  the  best  plan. 


20  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

TlSIAS 

Yes,  Phormio. 

PHORMIO 
Say  "yes  sir." 

TISIAS 
Yes  sir. 

(Aside.} 

The  punishment  of  perfidy  begins. 
Here  am  I,  wrecked  upon  a  distant  isle, 
In  company  with  this  most  beastly  slave 
Whose  slave  I  am.     I  must  pretend  to  yield, 
Till  time  shall  put  some  dagger  in  my  hand. 

PHORMIO 
Are  any  of  those  sacrificial  rabbits  left  over? 

TISIAS 
Drowned,  all  of  them  — 

PHORMIO 

Then  make  a  fire  in  the  rocks  below  and  cook 
some  of  them. 

TISIAS 

The    sacred    rabbits   from    which,  with    my 
instruments  of  divination,  I  draw  the  future! 

PHORMIO 

Fire!     We    must   use    the    gods'    saucepans. 
Send  the  girl  to  me!   Wait!   I'll  have  dinner  at 
six,  —  and  two  servants  to  wait  on  me. 
(Exit  Tisias.) 
PHORMIO 
(Calling.) 
Tisias! 

(Re-enter  Tisias.) 


NEPTUNE'S   ISLE  21 

TlSIAS 

Yes  sir,  yes  sir,  — 

PHORMIO 

Convey  this  baggage  to  the  sheltered  bank 
Below  the  giant  rock.     You  shall  scoop  out, 
Using  your  much-too-much  of  empty  leisure, 
A  proper  chamber  for  my  bride  and  me. 

TISIAS 
Mercy,  what  bride? 

PHORMIO 

I  am  retiring  from  the  priestly  life  — 
And  long  have  contemplated  matrimony. 

TISIAS 

Priestess  and  priest.    O  heavens,  the  blasphemy! 
Man,  man,  —  you  will  be  blackened  to  a  stone 
By  instantaneous  lightning!    You'll  be  left 
A  cinder. 

PHORMIO 

Tisias,  no  more  I  say! 
Or  I  will  speak  a  language  you  can  feel. 
Convey  the  vessels;  and  prepare  the  meal. 
(Exeunt    Phormio    and    Tisias    in    opposite 
directions,  Tisias  dragging  the  chest.     Enter 
Aglaia.} 

AGLAIA 

This  isle  is  Aphrodite's  toilet  box 
From  which  she  chooses  jewels  for  her  hair. 
Begirt  it  is  with  wet  enamel  stones 
That  gem  the  edge  like  lamps,  yes  light  the 

deeps,  — 

Those  alabaster  glooms  of  weedy  green 
Where  in  the  fanning  waters  are  displayed 


22  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

The  fringes  of  Poseidon's  canopy. 
Envious  of  earth,  he  spreads  his  water-kingdom 
Up  through  delicious  and  perpetual  swamps, 
And  every  salt  seduction  of  sea  flowers, 
Beach-pea  and  cranberry,  with  meadow-sweet, 
Sundew,  and  waxen  tiny  tea-berries, 
That  lace  the  silken  cushions  of  the  marsh 
With  leaves  of  jade.     Such  moist  Elysium 
Of  ribboned  grasses,  ferns,  and  jungles  soft, 
Moss  ankle-deep  —  like  melted  glaciers  — 
Leads  from  the  seashore  inland;  there  the  trees, 
Green  as  the  glassy  verdure  of  the  sea, 
Meet  them  and  do  obeisance.     But  such  trees! 
Spruces  with  double  tassels  at  the  elbow, 
Like  to  some  richest  burgher's  idlest  wife, 
With  superfluity  of  sable  furs 
Filling  the  air,  —  trees  that  with  greedy  pride, 
For  fear  some  grass  shall  occupy  the  earth, 
Stretch  their  green  luxury  along  the  soil 
And  carpet  it  themselves,  —  the  running  juniper 
More  seldom  seen  than  tripped  on,  the  blue 
spruce  — 

0  blessed  shipwreck!   Blessed,  blessed  fog 
And  every  crime  that  led  us  into  it. 

For  crime  it  is,  crime  somewhere.   Blessed  crime! 
That  lets  me  loose  to  view  the  face  of  heaven, 
To  feel  the  wind,  to  see  the  ocean  heave, 
To  —  to  —  meet  old  fumbling  foolish  Tisias. 

(Enter  Tisias.) 

Tisias!  Tisias!     (No  answer.)     Tisias,  I  say, — 
TISIAS 

1  hear  thee. 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  23 

AGLAIA 

Tisias,  you  and  I  are  things  no  more, 
Pieces  and  pawns  and  bits  of  something  else. 
I  am  no  tool  nor  bit  of  furniture, 
No  sconce  for  Neptune's  taper;  nor  are  you 
A  patient  mat  to  clean  a  kingly  shoe. 
We  are  companions  in  humanity, 
Drenched  into  life,  —  set  soaking  on  a  shore 
To  dry  and  find  our  souls.     Come,  Tisias, 
Sit,  and  I'll  tell  thee  more  philosophy 
Than  you  could  draw  from  out  a  flock  of  sheep, 
With  all  your  skewers. 

TISIAS.     (Gloomily.) 
The  isle  has  changed  us. 

AGLAIA 

Brought  the  inner  out: 
Let  loose  the  bird. 

TISIAS 

Yes,  you  are  very  changed. 

AGLAIA 
You  shall  be  also. 

TISIAS.     (Gesture  with  his  thumb.) 
He  is  very  changed. 

AGLAIA 
Who  "he"?  the  fat  man? 

TISIAS 

Phormio,  Phormio  too; 
Though  not  grown  thin. 

AGLAIA 
And  how  is  Phormio  changed? 


24  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

TISIAS.     (Mysteriously.} 
The  bird  is  loose. 

AGLAIA 
The  bird  is  loose? 

TISIAS 

Hark!  All  this  moisture  and  drip  from  the 
trees  takes  the  curl  from  the  hair.  (She  uncon- 
sciously feels  for  her  locks.)  The  sleek  mermaid 
and  the  siren  that  sings  and  dives,  and  the 
green,  scaly  naiad  that  peeps  and  flutters  — 
and  behold  it  is  a  tree  — 

AGLAIA 

Tisias,  your  brains  are  turned  with  famine  and 
salt  water.  Here  is  what  was  once  a  biscuit. 
I  myself  can  live  upon  clams,  scallops,  and  the 
strong-tasting  blackberry.  I  am  used  to  nun's 
diet. 

TISIAS 
No. 

AGLAIA 
What  is  it  then  ? 

TISIAS 

Phormio  retires:  he  puts  aside  priestly 
things.  He  settles  —  he  —  he  — 

AGLAIA 

Tisias,  come  to  yourself.  Hold  the  malady 
at  bay  and  be  a  man.  What  is  this  mumbling 
and  trembling?  Phormio  retires? 

TISIAS 
He  —  he  marries. 

AGLAIA 
On  this  island? 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  25 

(Tisias  nods.) 

AGLAIA 

ME!  —  The  monster!     How  long  have  you 
known  this? 

TISIAS 
Ten  minutes. 

AGLAIA 

I'll  dive  into  the  sea  and  turn  a  dolphin. 
To  scud  behind  the  driving  fisherman 
And  live  on  offal.    I  will  build  a  nest 
Upon  the  crow-top  of  the  crooked'st  tree, 
Whose  jagged  spars  tear  fat  men  climbing  up. 
I'll  burrow  in  the  earth,  —  I'll  disappear. 

TISIAS 
But  he  will  search,  - 

AGLAIA 

Yes,  —  but  he  will  not  search. 
For,  —  hold !    We  will  forestall  all  thought  of 

search 
By  news  of  drowning.     Thou  shalt  say  I'm 

dead, 

Drawn  to  the  bosom  of  my  father-god 
Through  jealous  intimation  of  foul  play. 
Neptune  is  terrible.     This,  Phormio  dreads, 
And  thou  must  lead  him  there  to  walk  the 

shore; 

And  let  him  find  my  soaked  and  stained  dress, 
Fillet,  and  little  trinkets  of  my  body 
That  never  living  maid  would  cast  away. 
Then,  let  him  tremble!    I  with  fingers  deft 
Will  all  o'erlace  my  bodice  with  green  spoils 
Of  vines  and  bark  of  birches,  rich  as  silk, 


26  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

And,  as  a  naiad,  live  within  the  cave 
That  fronts  the  outlet  of  the  narrow  bay. 
There  have  I  seen  a  seaborn  satyr  splash  — 
Its  eyes  like  a  young  robin  —  in  the  surge. 
Never  he'll  seek  me  there!   'Tis  near  the  flood. 
But   thou   shalt   bring  me  food.     Those   tiny 

fruits 

(It  seems  all  nature  here  is  miniature) 
Must  from  the  cunning  rabbits  be  withdrawn 
To  serve  our  need :  starved  apples,  red  as  nuts, 
Wild  grapes,  with  all  the  store  of  raspberries 
The  trustful  blackbird  leaves  upon  the  bush, 
For  his  to-morrow.     Fish  I'll  catch  myself 
With  crooked  pins  of  gold  on  threaded  hairs, 
Which  in  the  moonlight  from  the  rocks  I'll 

throw 
When  none  is  by  to  see.     The  wind  is  rising  — 

TISIAS 

Some  after-trouble  follows  from  the  sea, 
That  seems  to  growl  and  bark  about  our  refuge. 
Small  animals  come  jumping  through  the  brakes 
As  if  pursued.     Ha!     What  is  that? 

(A  child,  aged  three,  dressed  as  a  satyr  and 
playing  on  a  wooden  pipe,  on  which  it  can 
make  only  two  notes,  crosses  the  stage 
stolidly  without  noticing  anyone.  Tisias 
and  Aglaia  stand  in  amazement.) 

AGLAIA 

It's  stalking  to  its  nest;   I'll  follow  it. 
(Exit  Aglaia  and  enter  Phormio.) 

PHORMIO 
Tisias,  I  have  seen  strange  things  in  this  isle. 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  27 

TlSIAS 

Yes  sir. 

PHORMIO 
Where  is  Aglaia? 

TISIAS 
Gone. 

PHORMIO 
The  water  seems  rising  — 

TISIAS 
The  wind  too,  Phormio. 

PHORMIO 

This  island  is  not  so  large  but  that  Neptune 
could  reach  us  if  he  would. 

TISIAS 

The  water  soaks  up  through  —  see  there!    It 
is  a  spring  of  salt  water.     We  are  in  a  sieve. 

PHORMIO 
Where  is  Aglaia?     (Thunder  and  wind.) 

TISIAS 

When  I  did  tell  her  of  your  black  intent 
She  screamed  to  Neptune,  fled  along  a  cliff, 
And  so  I  lost  her:   she  will  come  again. 
Go  seek  her  on  the  margin  of  the  isle. 

PHORMIO 

Neptune's  her  father  — 

TISIAS 

So  she  seemed  to  cry — 

PHORMIO 

Find  me  a  cavern,  cave,  or  hole  in  the  ground, 
Where  I  may  bide  the  passage  of  the  storm. 


28  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Anything,  Tisias,  —  a  hollow  tree  — 
If  it  be  large  enough,  and  on  a  hill. 

TISIAS 

Look  if  the  seagull  yonder  be  not  poised 
Above  the  corpse  or  body  of  a  man, 
That    rises,   sinks,  and   rises — "Help!"  he 

cries. 
I'll  save  him  — 

PHORMIO 

Not  at  all;   it  is  a  sheet, 
A  shirt,  or  shred  of  garment. 

TISIAS 

True,  no  more. 
I  will  not  notice  it:  it  is  a  sail, 
Or  veil  of  Leucothea;   such  a  skein 
Odysseus  snatched  to  float  him  to  the  shore. 

PHORMIO 
It  comes  to  us,  I  cannot  choose  but  go  — 

(Exit  Phormio  and  re-enter,  calling.} 
Help!  Help!  O  Tisias,  see  here! 

(Showing  Aglaia's  dress.} 

TISIAS 
She  has  destroyed  herself. 

PHORMIO 

The  tide  is  rising:   see  the  angry  crests 
Like  monsters  roaring  at  us. 

TISIAS 

Phormio,  friend  — 

A  dry  tree's  what  you  need.     I  know  the  place, 
If  it  be  big  enough. 


NEPTUNE'S   ISLE  29 

(He  measures  him  about.) 

I  think  it  can  be  done. 

(Aside.) 

One  comrade  in  a  cave  does  hide 
And  one  within  a  tree; 
While  I  have  need  my  pets  to  feed, 
For  I  alone  am  free. 

(Exeunt.) 


ACT  II 

SCENE  II  —   ANOTHER    PART   OF   THE    ISLAND 

(Music.  The  young  satyr  is  sitting  almost 
asleep,  his  pipe  in  his  hand.  Enter  Bacchyl- 
ides  with  his  lyre.  He  is  on  tiptoe  and  has 
been  following  and  charming  the  young  satyr.} 

BACCHYLIDES.     (Sings.) 

i 

A  feather  floated  down  from  Eros'  wing. 
(Help  me,  Apollo,  thou  art  everywhere; 
Give  me  to  see  and  catch  the  gleaming  thing.) 
He  vanished  in  the  liquid,  magic  air, 

And  left  no  track. 
Alas,  sweet  thoughts  come  back: 
Lost  music  is  a  kind  of  sweet  despair. 

ii 

Where  has  he  wandered,  open-eyed,  alone? 
(Help  me,  Apollo,  thou  art  everywhere.) 
His  steps  are  fresh  upon  the  mossy  stone, 
Beside  the  brookfall  on  the  soft  green  stair 

They  leave  their  track. 
Alas,  sweet  thoughts  come  back: 
Lost  music  is  a  kind  of  sweet  despair. 

in 

Hold  him,  ye  nymphs!  Surround  his  hazy  eyne. 
(Help  me,  Apollo,  thou  art  everywhere.) 

3° 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  31 

Becloud  him  with  the  fumes  of  Music's  wine, 
That  melt  the  heart  and  die  upon  the  air, 

Yet  leave  a  track; 
For  all  good  thoughts  come  back: 
Blest  thoughts,  the  soul's  most  sweet,  most  deep 
repair. 

(He  touches  his  lyre  occasionally  after  going 
into  prose,  so  as  to  lull  the  child.) 

It  has  taken  me  six  hours  of  stalking,  but  I 
have  him.  He  fled  the  opium,  but  it  overcame. 
It  rolled  behind  him  in  a  dulcet  cloud  of  melo- 
dious rapture.  The  rustic  must  succumb  to 
science.  See  how  sound !  He  snores  like  crack- 
ling seaweed.  (Touches  the  lyre  and  at  the  same 
time  takes  the  child's  pipe  and  tries  notes  upon  it.) 
And  this  is  music!  There  is  no  Academy  on 
this  island:  so  much  is  certain.  The  scale  I 
take  to  be  Dorian,  —  the  cellar-doorian  ascend- 
ing scale.  Will  his  mother  care  to  lose  him? 
That  is  the  question.  Or  is  he  just  a  fungus, 
a  round  orange,  puffing  up  out  of  the  soil? 
There  should  some  man  in  Greece  be  appointed 
to  count  these  islands;  for  they  are  so  many 
that  they  multiply  and  decrease  of  themselves, 
before  it  is  noted.  Here  now  is  one  which 
nobody  knows  of,  and  inhabited  by  sea-urchins. 

(Gives  back  the  pipe,  then  strums.) 

Up  and  dance,  my  little  man, 
Dance  as  nicely  as  you  can. 

Dance  for  old  Bacchylides, 
Underneath  the  mossy  trees. 


32  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

For  your  mother  taught  you  how, 

I  can  see  it  in  your  brow. 
I  can  see  it  in  your  knees,  — 

Dance  for  old  Bacchylides. 
(The  little  satyr  rises  and  dances.) 

Up  and  dance,  up  and  dance, 
Half  awake  and  half  in  trance. 
Goatling  of  the  shiny  shingle, 
Rabbit  jumping  through  the  dingle; 
Here  thy  parlor,  hung  with  green, 
Here  thy  nursery  is  seen, 
Sylvan  sward  and  forest  hall,  — 
Dance,  thou  tiny  bacchanal! 

He's  tame  now,  and  will  follow  me  to  the 
world's  end.  (He  gives  the  satyr  a  bit  of  biscuit 
from  his  pocket.)  What  is  thy  name? 

MYRMO 

Myrmo. 

BACCHYLIDES 

Do  you  speak  Greek  or  Hebrew?  Neither. 
A  most  extensive  language.  The  less  he  says, 
the  more  I  understand.  Neither.  He  loves 
me  because  I  teach  him  the  elements.  Here  is 
a  great  comment  upon  your  new  god,  Education, 
that  I,  a  gray-headed  cynic,  with  gout  and  a 
witty  rejoinder  in  every  one  of  my  toes,  should 
teach  dancing  to  this  child  of  the  woods!  If 
Leon  were  here  I  would  expound  this:  I  would 
give  him  a  philosophical  prolegomena  as  long 
as  Green's  Introduction.  I  would  not  spare. 


NEPTUNE'S   ISLE  33 

I  am  paid  for  this  part:  the  rest  is  the  froth  and 
generosity  of  my  mind.  (Enter  Leon.}  Leon, 
silentium!  Bid  good  morrow  to  your  fellow 
pupil.  I  open  a  school  here,  and  the  squirrels 
alone  may  sit  in  the  gallery  and  chatter.  The 
rest  must  observe  rules.  Master  Myrmo:  Mas- 
ter Leon. 

LEON 

This,  this  only  was  wanting.  (Shakes  hands 
with  Myrmo.}  Comrade,  I  will  do  myself  the 
honor  of  giving  you  a  kiss. 

BACCHYLIDES.     (To  Leon.} 
Now  shall  you  dance  for  the  satyr. 
(He  causes  Myrmo  to  sit  on  a  stool,  as  auditor, 
and   makes    Leon   dance   while   he   himself 
sings.} 

One  two,  son  of  a  king, 
(If  you  call  these  Greeklings  kings  at  all) 

We  have  a  name  for  everything, 
And  names  are  great,  while  things  are  small. 
Here  is  pine  and  eglantine, 
And  the  meandering  sacred  vine. 
Here  let  hickory  with  Terpsichore 
Interlace  and  intertwine, 
Interweave  and  interleave, 
And  wind  and  bind  with  mystic  sign; 
While  young  Saturn's  eyes  are  growing 
Larger  in  the  moon's  decline. 

LEON 

Moon's  decline,  —  a  failure. 
BACCHYLIDES 
See  how  he  hangs  his  head,  like  the  poppy. 


34  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Is  it  not  the  tender-thoughted  moon?  —  that 
moon  which  man  only  sees  when  he's  dead  tired 
on  the  way  home,  say,  or  when  he  rises  to  shut 
the  window  at  midnight?  Poetry,  —  poetry, 
my  lad.  What  have  you  to  do  with  poetry  — 
thou  foolish  young  lover  —  thou  clay-clod  of 
hopeless  modernity?  A  moment  since  I  felt 
an  impulse  to  teach;  but  now  I  see  thou  art  so 
matter-of-fact,  odious,  unintellectual,  and  com- 
monplace in  love  that  I  will  not  open  the  wine. 

LEON 

But  what  is  this  island?     Is  it  history? 

Who  made  these  paths  and  little  corridors? 

These  hanging  beards  of  moss  on  ivied  boughs? 

This  arras-tinted,  beechen  tapestry 

Gives  all  the  gravity  of  ancient  state 

To  fairy  fortresses :  rocks,  slowly  won, 

That  crown  a  secret  terrace,  galleries 

Where  a  lost  princess  might  be  counting  gems 

Attended  by  the  toadstools.      How  can  walks, 

Never  betrod,  or  only  trod  in  dreams 

By  moon-lit  lovers  threading  paths  of  thought — 

BACCHYLIDES 

Man  has  been  here !     This  veil  of  mystery 
Is  hung  by  Nature  on  the  face  of  man. 
She  clothes  dead  peasants  with  the  state  of 

kings, 

Setting  tall  iris  in  imperial  grief 
To  watch  his  coffin,  —  powders  the  rich  pall 
With  seeds  vermilion:  drops  gold-shining  knots 
On  the  red  mold  of  rusty  sarsenet, 
And  stands  behind  the  service.     Not  a  spray 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  35 

But  hides  the  spring,  the  sickle,  or  the  plow, 
The  pasture,  the  quick  lane  to  neighbors'  barn, 
And  barefoot  children  standing  at  the  stile.  — 
These  are  the  story  Nature  overwrites 
With  daring  pathos.     And  their  eyes  peep 

through  — 

The  blue-eyed  children  bloom  in  dreadful  death; 
The  farmer  with  the  pine  roots  in  his  heart 
Transfuses  Nature:  such  is  Fairyland. 

LEON 
But  this  is  terrible. 

BACCHYLIDES 

It  is,  it  is. 

All  beauty  has  a  touch  of  terror  in  it. 
And  this  young  goat  (who's  had  enough  of 

learning 

And  glances  like  a  schoolboy  at  the  clock) 
Is  the  last  conquest  of  transforming  Pan,  — 
Human,  yet  how  he  gambols  o'er  the  brake, 
And  throws  his  waxy  hooflets  to  the  sun! 
The  lecture's   done.      Run,   children,   to   your 

play! 
(During  this  speech  Myrmo  has  gone  out.     Exit 

also  Bacchylides.} 

LEON. 

(Who  is  sunk  in  gloom.} 
So  doth  love,  dying,  leave  his  legacy 
Of  poesy  to  Nature.     All  our  thoughts 
Are  worthless  till  they  reappear  as  dreams; 
Alive  they're  nothing,  dead  they're  fairyland, 
And  touched  with  tragic  grace.     O  my  Aglaia! 
My  springing  fountain  in  a  cloister's  jail, 


36  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Green  bush  within  the  tomb,  I  could  not  save 

thee, 

Because  Olympus  set  his  marble  blocks 
Upon  my  heart.     I  might  disprison  thee  — 
Yet  not  release;  Zeus  only  can  do  that. 
I  have  not  left  thee:  I  but  seek  the  clue. 

(Enter  Aglaia  behind,  dressed  in  bark  and  green 

leaves.     She  sees  Leon,  starts,  recoils,  almost 

totters,   exclaims   faintly,    "Ah,  Neptune!" 

recovers    herself,  and    comes  forward,    still 

unobserved.) 

AGLAIA.     (Aloud.) 

I  thought  he  must  be  here.     Pardon,  fair  sir, 
Has  a  young  scrambling  satyr  passed  this  way? 

LEON 
No,  —     Yes  he  has.     But  you  —  you  are  his 

mother  ? 

AGLAIA 

Yes,  and  his  nurse,  the  only  tribe  he  has. 
We  are  the  heritors:  we  are  Proteus'  seals 
And  island  things;  I  pray  you  do  not  hurt  us. 

LEON 
O  heavens,  new  pathos!     Are  not  men  and 

women 

Sufficient  for  the  gods,  but  they  must  damn 
With  animal  infusion  heavenly  souls? 
Good  woman,  if  you  were  a  farmer's  wife 
Seeking  her  chubby  child,  I'd  tell  you  plainly 
The   child   was   here.     Go   plait  your   circular 

brow 

With  reeds  to  hide  the  animal  fulness  of  it! 
Go,  low-browed  Galatea,  —  thy  child  was  here. 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  37 

AGLAIA 
I  am  Neptune's  daughter  and  a  thing  of  the  sea. 

LEON 
Perfect  in  heartlessness  are  all  the  gods! 

AGLAIA.     (Aside.) 

The  worst  is  over.     Men  in  women  see 
Only  their  dresses;  and  by  shift  of  shift 
Andromache  may  pass  for  Hecuba. 

(To  Leon.) 

In  which  direction  went  he? 
LEON 

Leapt  in  the  brambles. 
In  which  direction  ?     Thou  art  beautiful 
And  in  thy  lineage  near  to  one  I  loved, 
But  older.     And  thy  children  — 
AGLAIA 

Nay,  I've  but  one. 
LEON 

Through  thy  base  godhead  still  thou  gleamest 
woman. 

AGLAIA 
Oh  no,  my  lord!     But  you'll  not  do  us  harm  — 

LEON 

I'll  tell  thee  all  my  story.     To  uncoil 
A  snake  about  my  heart,  I'll  sup  with  serpents. 

AGLAIA.     (Aside.) 
A  pretty  compliment. 

(She  sits  down.) 

LEON 

I  was  born  a  prince, 
But  one  with  leisure  to  become  a  man, 
Not  a  stuffed  ox  or  block  for  draping  clothes. 


38  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

My  father  is  a  kind  of  gentleman 
More  than  a  king.     And  I  have  run  as  wild 
As  goats  on  Capri.      For  our  kingdom's  small: 
They   could   not  lose  me.     You'll   not  under- 
stand, — 

You  wild-bird  creature,  you  who  live  on  rime 
And  drink  the  dew  before  the  sun  is  up,  — 
The  narrowness  of  kingdoms,  the  shrunk  hearts 
And  evil-smelling  houses.     I  grew  sick 
And  on  the  margin  of  the  prisoning  sea 
Drank  opium  from  the  clouds. 
AGLAIA 

Alas,  sad  boy! 
Would  I  had  been  there  with  some  porcelain 

crabs 
Or    old    sea-helmets,    drawn   from   drowned 

knights, 
To  be  your  playfellow. 

LEON 

And  there  I  met 

An  all-but-child  young  priestess,  muttering 
Poseidon's  liturgy  along  the  shore. 
It  seems  they  break  the  appetite  of  nuns 
With  prayer.       I  gave  her  Homer  for   her 

meat; 

And  every  day,  at  stolen  hours  of  thrift, 
With  golden  cup  and  loaf  renewed  the  gift 
In  draughts  of  rapture.     I  her  thought  would 

teach, 

And  she  my  soul  had  taken;  each  to  each 
Became  the  Homer  where  the  other  read. 
Within  our  hearts  in  little  drops  we  bled, 


NEPTUNE'S   ISLE  39 

Listing  to  notes  no  minstrel  ever  sung,  — 
The  harp  of  life  that  in  the  bosom  hung. 

AGLAIA 
Ah,  was  it  so  indeed? 

LEON 

Life !  —  from  the  core  of  life  were  both  cut  off, 
She  by  her  vow,  and  I  by  my  despair  — 
Yet  crept  it  in:  gold  was  it  like  a  bell 
And  glowing  like  a  burning  film  of  light. 
But  what  know  ye, 

Ye  senseless  beings  of  the  glossy  earth, 
Begirt  with  leafy  beauty,  ye  fresh  grasses 
That  wave  in  the  wind,  what  can  ye  know  of 
love  ? 

AGLAIA 

Even  for  that  instruct  me.     Her  you  taught; 
And  he  who  could  inspire  a  crabbed  nun 
Might  wake  a  wood-nymph. 

LEON 

She  in  her  bosom  bore  the  unshattered  sphere, 

The  crystal  microcosm,  the  hot  beat 

That  weaves  the  earth  to  union  with  the  sun, 

And  all  to  God!     What  part  in  this  hast  thou? 

Beautiful  mask,  thing  uninhabited! 

For  whether  in  the  iris  of  the  moon 

The  water  lily  shows  her  paly  glow, 

Or  orchid  blazes  in  the  tropic  shade, 

Nature  but  imps  us;  her  brute-glorious  eyes 

She  sets  upon  us  as  in  mockery. 

The  fungus  personates  the  blessed  lily, 

And  all  inanimate  nature  imps  man's  thought 

To  make  him  heartsick. 


40  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

AGLAIA 

Thou  speakest  things  I  may  not  understand, 
Being  but  earth-born. 

LEON 

Couldst  thou  understand 
I  could  not  speak  them.      Thou  dost  set  me 

free. 

For  see  what  prize  the  little  priestess  bore, 
And  thou  an  empty  vessel.  Fair  thou  art 
With  something  of  Aglaia's  humorous  look 
That  minds  me  of  her. 

AGLAIA 
But  let  me  speak  — 

LEON 

But  what  hast  thou  to  speak? 
AGLAIA.     (Revealing  herself.) 
A  life  within  a  life. 

When  love  is  taken,  Nature  turns  to  toys; 
When  love  returns  she  mirrors  all  love's  joys. 
Then  turn  the  concave  mirror  of  thy  breast 
To  take  the  image  that  is  here  expressed  — 
A  maid  in  Nature. 

LEON 
Aglaia ! 

AGLAIA 
Leon! 

LEON 
But  how  did  you  come  here? 

AGLAIA 
God  knows,  but  I  am  here. 

LEON 
How  long  have  you  been  here? 


NEPTUNE'S   ISLE  41 

AGLAIA 
Some  week  or  two.     A  shipwreck. 

LEON 
But  how  long  and  when  did  you  know  me? 

AGLAIA 

I  knew   you   the  instant  I  saw  you  on  the 
log,  frowning. 

LEON 
Why  did  you  not  speak  before? 

AGLAIA 

Because  I  am  not  in  the  habit  of  declaring  my 
love  to  young  princes.     They  must  begin. 

LEON 
But  you  knew  of  my  love  before. 

AGLAIA 
It  is  not  enough. 

LEON 
But  Aglaia,  —  what  have  I  said? 

AGLAIA 

Well,  I  do  not  know  that  I  could  repeat  it; 
but  it  is  enough  for  an  introduction. 

LEON 
But  Aglaia,  Aglaia,  — 

AGLAIA 
Well,  Leon. 

LEON 
Why  this  unusual  —  this  fantastic  dress? 

AGLAIA 

I  will  explain.     It  is  a  story,  strange  yet  natu- 
ral: you  will  approve. 

LEON 
But  you'll  —  you'll  —  catch  cold! 


42  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

AGLAIA 
There  is  no  such  thing  in  this  climate. 

LEON 
And,  —  and  that  young  animal  — 

AGLAIA 
Myrmo,  the  satyr?    A  friend,  but  no  relative. 

LEON 
You  said  he  was  your  boy. 

AGLAIA 

No  sir.  No,  Leon.  It  was  you  that  said  he 
was  my  son.  I  said,  —  I  may  have  said  I  was 
his  mother.  He  is  an  islander,  I  think. 

BACCHYLIDES.  (Entering.} 
How  now,  Master  Hyacinth,  have  you  seen 
yourself  in  the  pool  yet?  (Observing  Aglaia.} 
I  beg  pardon  I'm  sure,  Madam.  If  I 
picked  a  blossom  from  you  by  accident  last 
evening,  forgive  me.  I  took  you  for  a  hawthorn 
bush.  I  —  I  —  don't  know  your  name;  but  I 
could  sing  you  to  the  tune  of  Green  Sleeves. 

LEON 

Look,  Bacchylides  —  Aglaia! 
BACCHYLIDES 

What?  No!  And  she  so  chaste,  so  prudish, 
that  she  would  never  sit  more  than  four  hours 
on  a  wet  stone  at  midnight  watching  the  ebb 
—  For  shame!  Aglaia,  you  have  followed  us. 

LEON 
No!  Bacchylides. 

AGLAIA 
I  will  explain.     No,  I  will  not.     Why  should 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  43 

I?     You  shall  explain.     How  came  you  on  my 
island  — ? 

BACCHYLIDES.     (To  Leon.) 
How  came  we  on  her  island? 

LEON 

Let  me  see.  We  were  sailing  from  Egypt  to 
Abydos  and  our  water  was  low,  and  we  stopped 
to  draw  water  — 

BACCHYLIDES 
But  where? 

LEON 
Why  here. 

BACCHYLIDES 
Plainly  some  god  is  at  the  bottom  of  it. 

AGLAIA 

And  do  you  spend  some  time  with  us?  But 
forgive  me,  Leon!  you  talk  so  well;  and  I  saw 
that  I  had  only  to  keep  quiet  and  the  honey 
would  drop  from  the  comb.  (To  Bacchylides.) 
He  is  pouting  a  little  because  he  did  not  recog- 
nize me.  Why,  this  was  the  best  sign  of  true 
love — blindness.  He  is  wondering  what  he  said 
to  me.  Comfort  us,  Bacchylides.  You  arrive 
in  the  nick  of  time  to  save  us  from  a  quarrel 
over  nothing.  I  tell  thee  what!  —  Sing  to  us. 
Bacchylides,  I  have  never  asked  much  of  you. 
Will  you  do  me  a  favor  and  sing  to  us? 

BACCHYLIDES 

You  have  never  asked  nor  I  ever  done  aught 
for  you.  No,  indeed!  Except  to  perjure  my 
soul  and  damn  my  character  with  black  infamy 


44  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

for  serving  the  mad  love  passing  between  both 
of  you.  How  often  have  I  told  lies  to  your 
mother-in-law  that  is  to  be,  when  she  taxed 
Leon  with  late  hours!  " Pindar  is  hard, 
Madam,"  said  I.  "  Pindar  and  these  oily, 
little,  smoking  lamps  hurt  the  eyes"  —  and 
him  with  a  blotched  face  for  bellowing  about 
his  love!  Go  off,  ungrateful  monkey.  You 
get  no  songs  out  of  me. 

LEON 

Keep  begging,  Aglaia.  This  is  the  tuning  up 
that  all  musicians  must  do,  this  protestation. 

AGLAIA 

Good  Bacchylides,  dear  Bacchylides,  Bacchyl- 
ides,  a  song,  — 

BACCHYLIDES 

Well,  I  will  sing  you  a  song  I  wrote  before 
I  knew  any  of  you  or  your  sea  monsters.  It 
was  written  to  a  girl  that  dwelt  at  Sunium  long 
ago. 

LEON 

More  tuning  up. 

BACCHYLIDES 

And  what  if  it  were?  Can  I  sing  without  the 
old  magic  behind?  Go  to!  You  have  the  sign 
manual  of  all  true  love:  you  believe  yourselves 
the  true  discoverers,  you  only,  you  two.  Sit 
ye  down  over  there.  This  was  of  the  old  era, 
before  you  two  walked  out  of  your  shells  to 
occupy  the  earth. 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  45 

(Tunes  and  sings.} 

i 

This  was  the  summer  whose  gradual  splendor 
Burned  the  meridian,  while  the  deep  sea 
Whispering,  murmuring,  watched  the  surrender, 
Cradled  my  union,  my  loved  one,  with  thee. 

ii 

Mute  was  the  music  and  mystic  the  paean 
That  skirted  the  magical  days  as  they  fled. 
These  were  the  nights  when  the  starred  empy- 
rean 
Bent  o'er  the  passion  it  silently  fed. 

in 

Turn,    ancient   earth!     Toward    twilight   thou 

wagonest, 

Bliss  that  has  lasted  for  thousands  of  years. 
Lo!  as  thou  sinkest,  behold  the  protagonist, 
Hesperus,  pilot  his  glittering  spheres. 

(Curtain.) 


ACT  III 

SCENE    I ANOTHER    PART    OF    THE    ISLAND 

(A  great  tree  on  one  side  of  the  stage.  From  a 
high  branch  of  the  tree  a  basket  is  hanging 
by  a  string.  Enter  Tisias.  He  puts  some 
nuts  and  leaves  into  the  basket.} 

TISIAS.     (Calling.} 

Phormio!  (Aside.}  I  will  reduce  that  great 
porpoise.  He  shall  come  down  more  like  the 
young  monk  than  he  went  up.  It  was  the 
fright  that  raised  him:  he  clung  like  a  wild  cat, 
and  sped  upward.  Now  I  have  removed  the 
lower  branches  for  my  more  commodious  enter- 
tainment here,  and  he  is  become  a  treed  cata- 
mount. (He  sits  down  and  begins  to  eat  some 
melons,  grapes,  biscuits,  etc.} 
Phormio! 

PHORMIO.     (Feebly, from  above.} 
What,  Tisias? 

TISIAS 
More  refreshment! 

PHORMIO 
More  berries  and  less  nuts,  good  Tisias. 

TISIAS 

What!     Those    cone-pine    seedlets    are    ac- 
counted  a   delicacy  at  Italian   dinner  parties. 

46 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  47 

They  eat  them  with  spinach  and  with  risotto 
and  with  candied  pistachio  rodomontados. 

,  PHORMIO 

But,  dear  Tisias,  by  themselves  and  without 
salt  —  and  it  takes  so  long  to  find  the  seeds: 
every  cone  must  be  picked  over. 

TISIAS 

Time?  Time?  You  have  time  enough, 
surely.  Do  you  remember  ^Esop's  fable  about 
the  pig  and  the  banker?  No?  I  will  tell  it  to 
you.  Ah,  a  great  story-teller  is  ^Esop;  and 
he  generally  lays  the  scenes  of  his  tales,  or  the 
tales  of  his  scenes,  in  familiar  spots. 

PHORMIO 
What  are  you  eating,  Tisias? 

TISIAS 

Only  a  leg  of  the  last  rabbit,  and  three  fingers 
of  biscuit  which  I  found  in  the  gold  ware. 

PHORMIO 
But  those  fruits? 

TISIAS 

Nothing.  Nothing  in  the  world.  What? 
Oh  these?  Grapes  to  be  sure.  I  brought  them 
to  show  you,  because  they  lend  color  to  my 
belief  that  this  island  was  once  dry  ground. 

PHORMIO 

Send  me  up  a  bunch  of  them,  dear,  sweet 
Tisias. 

TISIAS.     (Eating,) 

Not  for  worlds!  They  puff  and  blow  out  the 
body.  I  have  seen  some  new  sights  and  made 


48  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

some   astrological   observations   and   measured 
the  tides. 

PHORMIO 
Well—? 

TlSIAS 

We  are  sinking  rapidly.  There  is  water  in 
the  hold  and  all  the  creatures  —  for  the  isle  is 
inhabited  — 

PHORMIO 

What! 

TlSIAS 

All  the  creatures  are  putting  on  sea-forms. 
You  have  read  about  this.  There  is  a  young 
sort  of  skunk-satyr  who  lives  in  a  cave  with  a 
sea-female  — 

PHORMIO 

I  am  weak:  I  care  not  what  happens,  give 
me  a  few  grapes. 

TlSIAS 

Well  —  pull  up !  (He  puts  some  grapes  in  the 
basket  and  holds  it  breast-high.}  Don't  eat  the 
seeds,  they  give  melancholia.  I  have  left  a 
crust  of  biscuit  and  a  hare's  thigh,  also  a  crow 
which  I  found  on  the  headland  not  quite  finished 
by  a  young  fox.  What!  (At  this  point  he 
catches  sight  of  Bacchylides  and  drops  the  basket.} 
Help!  Heavens,  we  are  bewitched!  Save 
yourself!  It  is  upon  us,  —  Neptune  is  upon  us! 
(Exit  running,  enter  Bacchylides.} 
BACCHYLIDES 

The  soothsayer!  I  thought  so!  Aglaia 
warned  me,  or  I  should  have  fainted  outright 


NEPTUNE'S   ISLE  49 

with  antagonism.  He  has  the  jaw  of  the  starv- 
ing jackal!  Behold  his  lair,  his  filthy  food, 
his  knuckle  bones:  the  island  is  full  of  game. 
And  where  is  the  vampire,  the  swelled  Phormio  ? 
And  where  is  the  trunk  of  gold  goblets  Aglaia 
speaks  of?  Here's  a  couple  of  Ulysses'  swine 
indeed,  with  their  snouts  in  gold  pots! 

PHORMIO.  (Aside.} 

If  I  fall  not  off  through  this  trembling  and 
weakness,  I  vow  a  gold  pillar  to  Neptune.    I 
will  reform,  and  I  will  tell  all. 
BACCHYLIDES 

Now  what  would  Orpheus  do  here?  Must 
he  always  sing?  Must  he  charm  with  death 
in  his  throat,  play  only  because  play  he  must, 
like  the  dying  swan?  No!  No!  I  am  more 
than  a  poet.  I  will  catch  this  fox  Tisias 
alive,  and  I  will  do  it  by  means  of  a  stringed 
instrument. 
(Lays  down  his  lyre,  produces  some  cord,  and  exit.) 

PHORMIO 
Poor  Tisias! 

(Enter  Leon  and  AgldM.) 

LEON 

Behold  yon  skeleton  of  noblest  pine 
Devoured  by  the  gray  and  druid  moss. 
Lies  he  not  like  some  rich  old  senator 
Felled  by  his  reverend  vices  to  the  earth 
And  outlined  in  corruption? 
AGLAIA 

Where  he  stood 
A  gap  is  left  among  his  greener  mates. 


So  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

LEON 

And  lo,  they  too!    The  legacy  of  theft 
Hangs  on  their  living  lips. 

AGLAIA 

The  trees  are  wonderful. 

But  have  you  seen  the  western  stand  of  cedars 
That  flaunts  against  the  sunset  those  rich  flags 
Roughened  with  tiny  cones  of  yellow  gold  — 
As  if  they  held  their  babies  up  to  view  — 
Till  sinking  Phoebus  kiss  them? 

LEON 

Bacchylides  protests  that  all  this  soil 
Has  somehow  drunk  the  mind  of  vanished  man, 
Which  flushes  it  to  pathos. 

AGLAIA 

He's  a  poet: 
We  must  do  something  for  Bacchylides. 

LEON 
How  he  would  laugh  to  hear  it. 

AGLAIA 

Why  to  hear  it? 
The  poet  is  the  easiest  man  to  help. 

LEON 
What!  He's  the  only  man  one  cannot  help! 

AGLAIA 

Hear  me:   I'll  teach  thee  how  to  treat  a  bard. 
Leave  him  his  liberty,  but  give  him  gold. 
Heed  him  at  all  times  —  only  when  he's  cross 
Neglect  him;   but  the  instant  he  relents 
Forgive  him  and  renew  the  old  caress. 
Swear  he  is  always  great  and  always  right  — 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  51 

And  all  his  songs  are  always  excellent: 
Kneel  to  his  judgment.    You  will  spoil  a  man 
But  make  an  artist  happy. 
LEON 

Yes,  my  love  — 
All  this  is  true,  I  see,  but  never  easy. 

PHORMIO.     (Aside.} 

Oh  monstrous!  See  if  this  little  stripling 
here  has  not  taken  up  with  the  first  island 
woman  he  meets.  And  he  so  lovelorn  over 
the  little  priestess  that  the  scrub  women  of  the 
temple  pitied  his  case,  and  all  our  discipline  was 
corrupted  out  of  sympathy  for  his  tragedy. 
Out  on  thee!  Libertine!  Dost  thou  respect 
nobody?  Now  that  thou  and  thy  Athenian 
have  arrived  we  shall  have  cooing  enough  I 
warrant.  Two  wood  doves!  And  Aglaia  in 
her  ocean  grave!  But  there  is  more  heart  in 
him  than  in  Tisias,  and  I  must  have  food.  I 
will  groan  like  an  earth  spirit.  (Groans.} 

AGLAIA 
Hist!     What  was  that? 

(Phormio  groans  again.) 

LEON 
There,  again! 

AGLAIA.     (To  Leon.) 

Why,  it  is  Phormio,  of  course.  Didn't  Tisias 
tell  me  that  he  had  him  in  safety  ever  since  I 
threw  my  clothes  in  the  sea?  We  must  pretend 
that  I  am  the  sea-cow  which  Neptune  sent  to 
frighten  the  mares  of  my  cousin  Hippolytus. 
Wait!  I  understand  this  tree-climbing  sloth 


52  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

better  than  thou.  Do  thou  listen  to  me  now 
without  smiling,  and  go  out  when  I  tell  thee  to. 
Then,  on  my  signal,  when  thou  art  outside  and 
on  the  farther  side  of  this  tree,  and  when  he  is 
in  the  trance  of  my  song,  do  thou  rush  in, 
making  a  noise  like  a  sea-cow.  This  will  shake 
him  from  his  perch. 

LEON 
How  can  I  do  that?    What  noise? 

AGLAIA 

Go!  Go!  Make  a  noise  —  like  —  like  Cy- 
clops in  love  and  weeping  and  telling  his  love 
to  his  Mother  Earth:  at  the  same  time  drink- 
ing out  of  a  bucket  of  buttermilk. 

LEON 
How? 

AGLAIA 

Go,  go !  A  sea-cow  is  easy  enough — But  wait  — 
(In  a  false  voice.) 

No,  no, 

Young  sir,  you  are  a  saucy  boy! 
I'll  not  consent:   you  shall  not  kiss  my  fin, 
Or  rest  your  dreamy  eyes  upon  my  hair. 
I  am  the  sea-cow  sent  in  Phormio's  wake, 
To  charm  him  to  destruction.     I've  no  time 
For  genuflections.     Go,  thou  naughty  child, 
Before  my  sister  comes  with  reedy  tusk 
And  bears  thee  seaward.    I  must  sing  him  down 
And  she  will  bear  him  off.    Go,  hide  thyself. 

(Then  very  sweet  and  leering.) 
And  come  again,  sweet  elf,  this  afternoon. 
(Exit  Leon.) 


NEPTUNE'S   ISLE  53 

(She  takes  the  lyre  and  sings.} 

i 
Far  in  the  mist,  rocked  in  the  rain, 

A  rough  seafisher's  little  skiff 
Is  battling  bravely  home  again 
To  the  cottage  on  the  cliff. 

But  the  long  sea-lying  open  reef, 
With  the  rocks  that  sink  and  rise, 
Has  bared  the  bosom  of  its  grief 
To  the  light  of  the  evening  skies; 
And  three  salt  maids  from  under  seas 
Throw  stinging  strains  upon  the  breeze 
And  sweet  delirious  eyes. 

ii 
Did  the  wind  shift  before  it  fell? 

There  is  no  wind  at  all. 
And  the  young  fisher  knoweth  well 

The  tide  that  soon  must  fall: 

He  knoweth  the  long,  low,  open  reef, 

With  the  rocks  that  fall  and  rise, 

And  the  bosom  of  his  rocky  grief 

Is  bared  to  the  evening  skies. 

And  he  dreads  the  maids  from  under  seas, 

Their  stinging  strains  upon  the  breeze, 

And  their  delirious  eyes. 

in 
The  tiller  of  his  mind  doth  swing 

As  aimless  as  the  sea; 
He  careth  naught  for  anything 

But  a  dream  in  his  heart  hath  he: 


54  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Of  a  long  sea-lying,  open  reef, 
With  rocks  that  sink  and  rise, 
And  purge  their  bosom  of  its  grief 
In  the  light  of  the  evening  skies. 
And  of  three  maids  of  under  seas, 
Their  soothing  strains,  their  melodies, 
And  their  celestial  eyes. 

(She  makes  a  signal.  A  noise  without,  as  of  a 
sea-cow  coming  through  the  jungle.  Aglaia 
screams?) 

PHORMIO 

Help!  Help!       (Falls  out  of  the  tree  amid  a 
crashing  of  branches.     Enter  Leon.}     O   Leon, 
young  prince  Leon,  save  me!     The  god  Poseidon 
is  chasing  me  with  his  cow. 
LEON 

Get  up  and  be  a  man.  The  god  Poseidon, 
whose  lying,  hypocritical  priest  thou  hast  been, 
will  punish  thee.  I  will  not  save  thee.  Thou 
hast  blasphemed  thy  god,  betrayed  thy  King, 
and  plotted  against  a  holy  priestess.  What 
punishment  remains  for  thee  I  know  not. 

PHORMIO 
But  this  cow! 

AGLAIA 

The  cow,  Phormio,  is  a  cow  of  the  mind. 
The  cow  is  thy  conscience. 

PHORMIO 

My    conscience!     I    praise   God.     My    con- 
science, only  my  conscience.     (Begins  to  eat.} 
(Enter   Bacchylides  with    Tisias,   who   is  en- 
snared with  the  cord.} 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  55 

BACCHYLIDES 

It  is  not  a  noble  or  royal  game  to  hunt  the 
jackal:  I  never  read  of  it  in  Persian  history. 
But  it  will  do.  See  if  we  have  not  each  a  full 
bag  — 

I  from  the  brake  and  thou  from  the  skies; 

This  is  the  game  which  our  island  supplies. 

Now,  all  forward!  We  will  reduce  these  jail- 
birds to  ethical  proportions  by  good  discipline 
in  a  rocky  chamber.  (To  Phormio.)  Fie,  thou 
filthy  swine!  must  you  be  ever  eating  —  even  in 
the  act  of  discovery  and  public  condemnation? 
AGLAIA 

Bacchylides,  dear  Bacchylides,  they  have 
been  punished  already  greatly.  Gently,  Bac- 
chylides. Remember  that  we  too  are  casta- 
ways. 

(Exeunt.) 


ACT  III 

SCENE    II THE    SHORE    OF   THE    ISLAND 

(Enter  the  King  and  Queen  in  custody  of  the 
Mitylenian  general,  Canchrax.  Glaucus  and 
lo  are  following.} 

CANCHRAX 

Your  Majesties,  I  leave  you  on  the  strand, 
Fulfilling  the  bad  duty  laid  upon  me 
Not  without  tears.     The  Lords  of  Mitylene 
Devise  it  so.     I  humbly  ask  forgiveness. 

KING 

To  grant  forgiveness 
Is  the  last  act  of  dying  royalty: 
I  would  I  could  forgive  thy  masters,  too. 

QUEEN.     (To  Canchrax.} 
It  is  an  act  of  treason,  not  of  war, 
By  which  we  perish.     And  I  do  not  wonder 
That  you,  a  soldier,  weep  your  hand  in  it. 
Our  servants  were  suborned,  the  town  surprised. 

KING.     (To  Queen.} 

The  man  but  does  his  duty:  do  not  chide  him; 
And  keep  your  comment  till  we  are  alone. 

QUEEN 

I'm  a  plain  woman,  who  was  once  a  queen, 
And  now  may  speak  her  mind.     But  you,  my 
lord, 

56 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  57 

You,  who  despise  all  kingship  and  have  mocked 

it, 

Do  now  adopt  a  kind  of  majesty 
In  putting  off  the  crown. 

KING.     (Smiling.) 

Well  said,  my  love, — 
I  wish  to  throw  a  glamour  on  the  past 
By  showing  that  I  understood  the  pose 
Though  I  disdained  to  use  it  seriously: 
'Tis  now  delightful  trifling. 

(To  Canchrax.)     Go,  good  sir, 
Tell  your  employers  you  have  left  the  King 
More  master  of  his  leisure  and  his  mind 
Than  when  you  found  him.      Here  is  happiness. 
His    boyhood    dreamed    of    this,  and    his  old 

age 

Takes  it  as  blessing.     Thank  the  Mitylenes 
For  bringing  back  green  woods  into  the  world, 
This  forest  by-road,  and  the  broken  screens 
That  lead  it  to  the  sea. 

(He  turns  his  back  on  Canchrax  and  talks  to 
the  Queen  in  dumb  show.) 

CANCHRAX.     (To  Glaucus.) 
Glaucus,  I  pity  thee. 

GLAUCUS. 

I  neither  ask  thy  pity 
Nor  dread  thine  hate. 

CANCHRAX. 
Comrade,  adieu. 

GLAUCUS. 

Call  me  not  comrade :   and  for  thine  adieux, 
Address  them  to  the  sun;   for  thou  dost  die 


58  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Even  in  leaving  me.     I  see  the  gash 
Of  death  across  thy  brow. 

CAN CH RAX 

How?     Dost  thou  jest  in  chains? 
My  duty's  done. 

(Exit.) 

KING.     (To  Queen.) 

If  I  had  done  some  crime  we  might  be  sad, 
But,  being  innocent,  we  must  be  glad. 
I  ever  took  that  kingdom  as  a  show, 
Then  why  not  this? 

QUEEN 

Unless  we  starve — 
KING 

Look  there! 
Men  do  not  starve  where  goats   have  left  a 

track 

Among  the  vines  of  berries  red  and  black. 
Besides,  the  food  we  have  for  some  few  days; 
And  next,  a  humble  dwelling  we  must  raise 
And  live  like  shepherds.     We  must  tune  our 

moods 

To  the  sharp  savor  of  poetic  foods, 
Whereby  our  senses,  growing  less  perverse, 
May  see  new  wonders  in  the  universe, 
And  learn,  perchance,  what  marvels  here  belong. 
(Enter  Myrmo,    who    goes  to  the    shore    and 

picks  up  seashells.) 

Already  has  the  strand  become  a  song 
That  tells  of  fairies.    Mark  his  doughty  fist! 
There's  a  crab-cruncher  to  drive  off  the  crows 
And  take  the  spoils  himself! 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  59 

QUEEN 

The  blessed  darling!     Let  us  make  no  noise, 
But  sit  like  statues  by  the  lapping  waves, 
And  see  what  he  will  do. 

(Myrmo  presently  sees  the  King,  Queen,  and 
Glaucus;  starts,  runs  away,  returns,  and 
finally  brings  them  oysters;  then  exit,  run- 
ning.) 

KING 

If  we  would  know  how  kind  the  creatures  are 
We  have  but  not  to  fright  them.      Lo,  this  kid, 
Who  never  yet  saw  man  or  womankind, 
Is  trustful  as  an  angel. 

GLAUCUS 

Is  this  real? 

They  say  that  men  in  famine  see  strange  sights, 
Our  brains  being  fodder  to  our  appetites; 
And,  as  the  brain  grows  light,  being  fed  upon, 
These  apparitions  float  about  in  the  sun. 

lo.     (Without.) 

It's  more  than  mortal  can  bear  —  and  the 
fire  blistering  my  eyes  for  them. 

KING 

Here  comes  my  pain.  I  begged  you  to  dis- 
charge her  while  we  had  the  power.  Now  it's 
too  late. 

(Enter  lo.) 

lo 

Your  Majesties  will  ask  General  Glaucus  to 
keep  out  of  my  kitchen.  I've  enough  with  the 
cockroaches  and  the  beachroaches  without  hav- 


60  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

ing  all  the  land  crabs  and  the  soldier  crabs  to 
come  and  peep  into  my  pots. 
GLAUCUS 

What   dost    thou    mean,    termagant!     Your 
Majesty,  I  will  walk  and  examine  the  isle.     If 
this   fury  has   some   complaint  against  me,   I 
leave  my  case  in  your  hands. 
(Exit.) 

QUEEN 

The  General  must  keep  out  of  any  part  of 
the  island  that  she  calls  her  kitchen. 

KING 

What  a  precise  knowledge  of  our  household 
the  enemy  must  have  had,  that  they  banish 
this  woman  with  us.  There's  malice! 

QUEEN 

Ingrate!  She  has  almost  housed  and  fed  us 
already.  She  has  a  dinner  of  three  courses  — 

lo 

Four,  your  Majesties — oysters  roasted,  with 
wild  celery  soup,  lobsters  broiled,  a  codfish 
I  caught  myself,  some  flag  roots  stewed  with 
parsley,  and  fruit  enough  to  make  market-day 
in  Troezene. 

QUEEN 

And  she  has  laid  out  your  rugs  in  a  parlor 
under  the  bank,  where  you  may  sleep  after 
eating. 

KING 
She  has  her  uses. 

QUEEN 
While  you  talk,  she  works.    Uses  indeed! 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  61 

lo 

Will  your  Majesties  do  me  the  favor  to  speak 
to  Master  Glaucus?  He  has  an  impertinent 
eye  in  his  head. 

QUEEN 
Yes;  I  will  speak  to  him  myself. 

lo.     (Self-consciously.} 
I  shall  need  some  help  with  the  dishes. 

KING 

Solitude  breeds  wit.  Dishes!  What  dishes? 
Seashells  a  foot  across,  I  suppose.  Throw  them 
into  the  salt  water! 

QUEEN 
I  think  lo  must  be  having  some  visions  also. 

lo 

Visions,  is  it?  I  had  no  meaning  to  tell  your 
Majesties,  but  to  keep  them  for  a  surprise. 
See  what  I  found  under  a  bank! 

(Exit  and  re-enters  with  the  gold  vessels.} 

KING 
What! 

QUEEN 
These  are  no  dishes. 

KING 

Somewhere  have  I  seen 

Vessels  like  these:  but  where,  I  have  forgot. 
They  are  the  sacred  dishes  of  a  god, 
Archaic,  holy,  and  significant. 
Such  as  within  Dodona's  shadowy  glooms 
Have  dreamed  for  centuries.     I  cannot  name 

him, 
But  some  divinity  has  hallowed  these  — 


62  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

Pan,  Dionysus,  —  some  informing  god,  — 
Perhaps  this  island's  very  deity; 
For  sure  a  leafy  prodigal  is  here, 
Rustling  beneath  this  thick  luxuriance, 
Who  heaves  his  joy  of  life  upon  the  air. 

(To  lo.} 
You  must  not  use  them,  lay  them  up  again. 

lo 

As  soon  as  I  saw  that  peeking  Master  Glau- 
cus  coming  down  the  path,  I  hid  them. 
(Exit  lo,  enter  Glaucus.) 

GLAUCUS 

Your  Majesties,  I  give  you  leave  to  doubt,  — 
I  doubt  myself,  my  sight  and  senses  all  — 
But  I  have  seen  a  god  upon  our  island! 

KING 
What! 

QUEEN 
Speak  out! 

GLAUCUS 

If  great  Apollo  in  his  jeweled  car 
May  visit  mortal  sight,  I've  seen  the  god; 
Or  else  'twas  Dionysus,  drunk  with  life, 
Guiding  his  lynxes  or  wild  beasts  subdued  — 
I  know  not  which  —  attended  by  his  suite, 
Hermes  and  Ariadne  and  young  satyrs, 
And  reveling  demigods  —  I  cannot  name 

them  — 

But  gods,  as  clear  as  is  Olympus'  peak 
At  sunrise.     By  their  dress  and  walk,  they're 

gods, 
And  by  the  lack  of  mortal  habitation, 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  .     63 

And  by  the  radiance  of  the  polished  cloud 
Surrounds  them  in  their  progress.     Backed  with 

blue 
Upon  the  rising  knoll,  it  rolls  them  on. 

QUEEN 

Zeus  the  preserver,  shield  us! 
KING 

Which  way  steered  they? 
GLAUCUS 
Down  the  soft  hillside,  through  the  hazel  copse. 

KING 
This  way,  this  way? 

GLAUCUS 

It  seemed  so  — 
KING 

This  is  the  god  whose  goblets  we  beheld  — 
'Tis  best  we  step  aside! 

(King,  Queen,  and  Glaucus  step  aside.  Enter 
Leon  and  Aglaia,  hand  in  hand,  leading  a 
procession.  Behind  them  Bacchylides  riding 
in  a  kind  of  small  chariot  and  driving  Tisias 
and  Phormio  before  him.  Bacchylides  car- 
ries his  lyre  and  wears  his  wreath.  Tisias 
and  Phormio  are  dressed  as  the  mythological 
sins,  Cunning  and  Sloth.  They  are  on  all 
fours  and  are  decorated  with  vines  and  other 
symbols.  Myrmo,  bearing  a  thyrsus,  at- 
tends the  team  and  helps  Bacchylides  to  con- 
trol the  restive  animals.} 

BACCHYLIDES 

Around  the  island  we  in  triumph  go, 
To  make  a  penance  for  these  wicked  men, 


64  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Three  times  revolving  with  our  circling  show 
We  purge  the  curving  shore  and  rocky  glen. 
Halt!     We  must  here  perform  our  mystic  rite. 
Grovel,  ye  monsters  born  of  Primal  Night. 

(Bacchylides  descends  from  the  car.} 
Apollo!  here  we  do  present 
Two  sinners  on  this  continent; 
One  for  cunning  craft  indicted, 
One  by  sloth  and  slumber  blighted; 
Both  must  lay  them  on  the  ground. 
Kick  them  sure  and  beat  them  sound. 
Myrmo,  Myrmo,  punish  well 
To  save  our  island  from  their  spell. 

( The  beasts  cover  their  faces  and  groan,  while 
Myrmo  beats  them  with  his  thyrsus  and  occa- 
sionally kicks  them.} 
Now  this  nook  is  purified; 
Onward,  Myrmo,  be  our  guide. 

AGLAIA 
We  ought  really  to  let  them  rest. 

BACCHYLIDES 

Vices  rest!    Never!    Your  true  poet  subdues 
the   vices.     He   rolls    them   beneath   his    song. 
Think  of  Apollo   and  Marsyas,   and   have  no 
pity.     Poetry  has  no  pity. 
LEON 

There  I  believe  you.  And  we  have  recited 
your  verses  long  enough. 

BACCHYLIDES 

Well,  these  villains  are  subdued;  and  I  shall 
hang  this  car  up  in  Apollo's  temple  at  Delphi 
as  the  gift  of  a  Greek  king. 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  65 

(King,  Queen,  Glaucus,  and  lo  come  forward. 
All  the  characters  hold  up  their  hands  in 
amazement  and  exclaim,  "Oh  wonderful!") 

QUEEN 
O  Leon,  what  is  this  ?     My  son  I  see. 

LEON 
Mother!     (Kneels.) 

KING 

Leon  returned!     Leon! 
(Turning  from  one  to  another.) 
Aglaia!   Bacchylides! 
All  the  substance  of  my  heart 
Dressed  in  a  masque  of  Saturn.     I'll  not  weep, 
Being  too  near  to  it,  and  lest  the  mist 
Might  bear  ye  off  again. 

(Embraces  Leon.) 

Leon,  my  boy, 

When  we  are  certified  that  it  is  thou, 
Explain  thy  coming. 

LEON 
I  cannot,  sir. 

BACCHYLIDES 

If  all  will  keep  silence,  I  think  I  can  explain. 
This  is  Aglaia,  dressed  in  the  fashion  of  the 
clime.  These  two  are  Tisias  and  Phormio  — 
only  they  are  reformed.  Leon  is  there.  I 
am  here.  In  short  —  in  short,  it  is  truly  we 
and  truly  ye;  but  the  rest  is  uncertain.  For 
how  I  came  here  I  have  forgotten,  and  how 
Aglaia  came  here  I  never  knew,  and  how  your 
Majesties  came  here  remains  in  darkness.  As 
for  Myrmo,  he  was  always  here.  And  this, 


66  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

I   trust,    is    a    clear,    short    statement   of   the 
facts. 

KING 

I  thought  ye  to  be  gods  — 
QUEEN.     (Holding  Leon  fast.} 

Better  than  gods. 
LEON 

My  father  and  my  mother, 
I  must  present  you  to  my  only  love. 

KING 

All  is  most  strange.    I  find  myself  again 
Upon  the  puddly  shore  where  thou  wast  rolled; 
I  think  I  hear  the  heaving  of  that  sea 
That  whispered  to  the  sunset  of  a  maid, 
An  island,  and  a  king.    Thine  eyes,  Aglaia, 
Look  on  me  now  as  then,  most  lovingly. 
I  feel  the  godhead  of  mine  ancestor 
Ascending  strongly  through  the  heady  brine. 
He  comes:   stand  all  about:   arrange  yourselves 
As  at  an  audience. 

( They  do  so.     Enter  Neptune,  the  King  kneels 
and  holds  up  his  hands.} 

KING 

God  of  the  Ocean,  life  behind  my  line 
Declare  thy  purpose. 

NEPTUNE 

Here  have  I  drawn  you  by  the  threads  of  fate, 
Using  no  magic  save  the  elements, 
And  the  strong  natural  magic  of  yourselves. 
Ye  know  not  where  ye  are,  nor  how  ye  came: 
Ye  know  not  what  ye  would,  nor  where  ye  go. 
Like  children;  or  a  company  of  players 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  67 

That  wander  into  one  another's  lives 

And  find  their  parts  provided  in  a  play, 

So  ye,  controlled  by  the  invisible, 

Have  circled  to  a  close.    I  come  to  tell  ye, 

Your  enemies  are  scattered  on  the  blast: 

Sunk  in  the  ocean  is  proud  Mitylene, 

And  every  blasphemous  lip  is  silent  now. 

Ye  are  awaited  by  a  happy  town, 

To  which  your  fleet  shall  float  you  joyously. 

It  stays  upon  the  tide.    I  know  ye  all 

And  value;   for  within  my  glassy  realm, 

As  in  the  mansions  of  the  solid  air, 

Float  the  dark  filaments  of  things  that  be. 

(To  King.} 

Thou,   blameless   King,   receive   the   great    re- 
ward, — 

A  son  as  blameless;  on  thy  heart  I  built 
My  temple,  and  on  his,  my  citadel. 

(To  Aglaia.) 

This  foundling  maid  is  an  ^Egean  princess 
Foredoomed  to  rule  Troezene  as  its  Queen. 

(To  Leon.} 

Take  her,  Prince  Leon,  for  her  heart  is  thine. 
And  with  her  take  the  dowry  of  this  isle. 
'Tis    Neptune's    marriage    gift,    a     twinkling 

star 

New  spangled  on  the  sea.    It  raised  its  brow 
Gently  to  greet  a  bride,  within  a  league 
Of  thine  enamored  shore;  and  with  it  rose 
That  other  star  of  love-in-piety 
That  in  thy  inward  firmament  doth  blaze; 
Both  with  one  motion  turn  and  are  inlocked 


68  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

With  the  great  wheels  of  heaven.     So  live  we 

all  — 

So  the  diurnal  actions  of  the  sky 
Work  out  the  gods'  designs. 

KING 

(Raising  his  hand  to  impose  silence  while  the 

god  withdraws.     Exit  Neptune.} 
No  mortal  voice  must  answer.    He  is  gone 
And  we  are  left  in  wonder.    What  he  spake 
I  do  believe,  although  the  proof  of  it 
Lies  in  the  piecing  out  of  many  fragments,  — 
Work  for  a  winter's  evening.    O  my  friends, 
Strong  inward  props  to  courage  must  we  take 
Seeing  the  gods  do  love  us,  and  their  loom, 
Behind  the  shuttling  conflict  of  events, 
Weaves  only  justice. 

LEON 

Father,  I  perceive 

With  what  a  tenderness  you  viewed  our  love, 
Seeming  so  stern. 

AGLAIA 

No,  he  seemed  never  stern. 
I  feared  your  mother  more;  but  now,  not  so. 
(Gives  her  hand  to  the  Queen.) 

QUEEN 

Daughter,  you  have  no  need. 

I  had  as  heartfelt  pangs  about  you  both 

As  woman  ever  knew.    Now  is  all  saved. 

AGLAIA 

How  now,  Bacchylides,  are  you  gloomy  now 
that  the  storm  is  over? 


NEPTUNE'S  ISLE  69 

BACCHYLIDES 

Oh,  aye,  all  is  over  now.  I  knew  it  would  be 
so.  It  was  too  good  to  last.  Now  must  we  all 
return  to  humdrum.  Our  island  is  lost.  Now 
that  it  is  found  it  is  lost;  and  all  the  delicate 
delights  of  it  are  soiled  and  explored.  Fie!  It 
is  but  a  league  from  Troezene;  there  will  be 
dirty  children  and  music  here  on  festival  after- 
noons. I  shall  take  my  lyre  and  seek  a  new 
prince  in  misfortune;  for  I  see  nothing  but  com- 
fort ahead  here,  and  the  decay  of  genius. 

LEON 
Not  while  we  can  preserve  ihee,  Bacchylides. 

AGLAIA 

Not  while  hearts  are  warm  in  Troezene ! 
(Enter  sea-captain,  mariners  following,} 

CAPTAIN 
The  royal  trireme  awaits  your  Majesty. 

KING 
Ha!  Is  it  so? 

lo.     (Entering.} 

Dinner  is  served,  your  Majesties: 
Upon  the  beach  the  banquet  is  set  out. 

KING 

Good.    We'll  accept  both  offers  —  dinner  first, 
To   which,    good    Master    Captain,    you    shall 

come; 
And  after,  in  the  trireme,  to  our  home. 


A  FAMILY  QUARREL 

A   PLAY  FOR   THE  NURSERY  IN  TWO 
ACTS 


CHARACTERS 

COUNT  HUGO,  a  provincial  noble  of  Piedmont 

SYLVIA,  his  wife 

STARLING,  their  elder  boy,  aged  six 

ELFKIN,  their  second  boy,  aged  two 

PETRARCH,  the  butler 

Two  NUNS 

THE  MONSTER 

FAIRY 


A    FAMILY    QUARREL 
ACT  I 

SCENE    I THE    PALACE 

(Sylvia  and  Starling.  Sylvia  is  before  her 
dressing-glass.  Starling  is  choosing  jewels 
for  her  hair  from  a  jewel  box.} 

SYLVIA 

Give  me  the  dewdrops;  they  remember  me 
Of  my  lank  girlhood.      Cool  hypatica, 
That  underneath  old  winter's  soaking  leaves 
Trims  her  shy  toilet,  shall  not  be  more  meek 
Than  I.     I'll  set  a  fillet  on  my  head 
Of  beaded  holly  mixed  with  mistletoe; 
The  red  and  alabaster  alternating, 
Like  fruits  in  stone  or  old  mosaic  glass, 
Shall  turn  me  to  a  picture.     So  he'll  learn 
He  cannot  chafe  me. 

STARLING 
Mother,  what's  the  matter? 

SYLVIA 

Ah,  when  a  noble  with  a  fairy  weds, 
All  of  their  days  are  spent  in  bickering. 
Your  father,  Starling,  is  the  kind  of  man 
Who  thinks  it  honor  to  be  born  at  home, 
To  have  a  son,  to  plow  an  ancient  farm, 

73 


74  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

To  own  a  wife,  a  cat,  a  Sunday  suit, 
To  strut  and  fret  and  eat,  and  call  me  his. 
All  have  I  borne  because  thou  wast  my  son. 
Thy  fairy  nature,  copied  after  mine, 
Could  never  to  his  grossness  be  debased. 
But,  dearest  heart,  thy  brother  is  not  so. 
Our  baby  Elfkin  is  of  different  clay, 
And  father  spoils  the  child,  who  daily  grows 
More  like  a  monster,  selfish,  rude,  and  raw. 
O  Starling,  we  must  save  him. 

STARLING 
Send  papa  away! 

SYLVIA 

Yes,  if  we  could; 

Leave  him  awhile  in  some  enchanted  wood 
Wandering  alone.     If  grandmamma  were  here, 
My  mother,  the  green  witch  — 

STARLING 
Couldn't  we  all  die,  ourselves,  to  punish  him? 

SYLVIA 

My  mother,  the  green  witch,  might  help  us  now. 
(Enter  Count  Hugo  with  Elfkin  by  the  hand,  a 
dirty  but  vigorous  child  of  two.  The  child  has 
a  patch  of  court  plaster  on  his  forehead,  and 
his  pocket  is  full  of  billets  of  wood,  corks, 
and  other  rubbish.) 

HUGO 

Women  are  fools.     It's  men  who  rule  the  world. 
(To  Elfkin.)     Shall  we  go  see  the  pigs? 

ELFKIN 

Yes,  pigs. 


A   FAMILY   QUARREL  75 

SYLVIA.     (To  Hugo.} 

You'll  leave  that  child  to  play  among  the  pigs, 
As  you  did  yesterday? 

HUGO 

Better  than  leave  him  with  a  jewel  box, 
Or  playing  on  some  waiting-woman's  lap. 
My  ancestors  have  hunted  the  wild  boar, 
Within  their  forests,  for  eight  hundred  years; 
And  boys  of  manly  spirit  ever  are 
At  home  with  pigs.     My  boy  shall  be  a  man, 
And  not  a  baby. 

SYLVIA 
My  child,  your  head  is  hurt  — 

HUGO 

He  cracked  his  head 
Against  the  cellar  door. 

(To  Elf  kin.}     Don't  let  them  touch  it. 
It  is  a  manly  wound. 

ELFKIN.     (To  his  mother.} 

Gettaway! 
Gettaway!     (Throws  something  at  her.} 

HUGO 

Aye,  there's  the  wolf  at  bay! 
The  very  image  of  my  grandfather 
Old  Wolf-at-Bay,  green  eyes  and  bulging  brow, 
And  born  with  teeth.     Young  Spear-the-Boar, 
Shall  we  go  see  the  pigs? 

ELFKIN 

Yes,  pigs. 
STARLING 
Go  'way,  you  horrible  man!   You  bad  papa! 


76  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

You   frighten   my  mamma.     Some   witch  will 

come 

And  lose  you  in  the  wood,  or  kill  us  all. 
Go  'way,  you  cruel  man! 

HUGO 
And  thus  you  set  the  child  against  his  father? 

SYLVIA 

It  was  the  father  first  assailed  the  child. 
Hugo,  beware!   some  punishment  will  fall. 
I  am  a  witch's  daughter  and  I  call 
Upon  my  mother's  minions  for  revenge. 
Mother!  Avenge  me!   If  I  die  to-night, 
Avenge  your  daughter  on  this  dreadful  man, 
Who  ruins  both  his  sons  and  kills  his  wife. 
Revenge !   Revenge ! 

MONSTER.     (Without.) 

Who  calls? 

SYLVIA 
Hark!   What  was  that? 

HUGO 

It  was  a  cat  that  mewed 
In  answer  to  a  hen  that  cackles  here. 

SYLVIA 
You  heard  it? 

MONSTER.     (Without.) 
Who  calls? 

SYLVIA 

There  again  an  awful  voice! 
Hugo,  it's  coming!     Some  calamity! 
Hold,  hold  the  children  fast,  —  a  devil  comes. 

MONSTER.     (Entering.) 
Who  called  me? 


A   FAMILY   QUARREL  77 

SYLVIA.     (In  terror.) 
No  one !  No  one  called  you  here  — 

HUGO 

Sylvia,  you're  mad,  your  staring  eyeballs  glare; 
And  yet  there's  nothing  there. 

SYLVIA 

(On  her  knees  before  the  Monster.) 
Spare  them, oh  spare  them!  Hugo,  to  your  knees 
And  pray  for  expiation. 

HUGO 

You  are  mad. 

I  see  no  danger  in  a  woman's  fears. 
This  is  hysteria.     Come  along,  my  boy. 

ELFKIN.     (To  the  Monster.) 
Gettaway!     Gettaway! 

(Throws  something  at  it.) 

SYLVIA 

He  sees  it!  It's  the  Rachert:  it  is  sent 
On  messages  of  vengeance.     Hold  him  back! 
(She  endeavors  to  get  between  the  child  and  the 
Monster,  but  Hugo  holds  her  back.) 

HUGO 

You'd  have  the  boy  a  milksop  like  your  own? 
There's  nothing  there,  you  fool!     Elf  kin,  go  on 
And  show  Mamma  our  boy  is  not  afraid. 

ELFKIN.     (Advancing  boldly.) 
Gettaway!  Gettaway!   Gettaway! 

(As  he  approaches  the  Monster,  it  suddenly 
puts  a  big  black  sack  like  a  coal  sack  straight 
down  over  the  child,  enfolds  him  in  its 
voluminous  person,  and  vanishes.) 


78  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

SYLVIA 
Help !  Help !  He's  gone.    (She falls  unconscious.} 

HUGO 
She's  in  a  faint. 

(Hugo  and  Starling  kneel  by  her,  one  on  each 
side.) 

The  woman's  going  mad. 
Starling,  go  fetch  a  glass  of  water, 
And  tell  old  Petrarch.     He  will  understand. 
(Calls.)     Petrarch,  Petrarch,  — 
(Enter  Petrarch.) 

Your  mistress  has  a  seizure;   get  some  salts 
And  bring  her  round.    Come,  Elfkin,  to  the  pigs. 
Elfkin,  we'll  find  the  old  boar's  hiding-place, 
And  where  the  falcon  died,  when  I  was  young. 
I'll  show  the  very  spot.     The  eagle's  nest 
We'll  find  and  six  young  eaglets,  Elfkin. 

(To  Petrarch.)     Where's  the  lad? 
We  were  all  here  —  and  suddenly  she  fell, 
Imagining  she  saw  some  fantasy, 
Some  fairy  monster.     Then  she  cried,  "The 

Rachert," 
And  fell  upon  her  knees. 

PETRARCH 

It  is  the  Rachert! 

The  Monster  that  takes   children  from  their 
homes. 

HUGO 

You  superstitious  ass!   Send  me  the  boy, 
You've  hidden  him  yourself.     It  is  a  trick! 
The  whole  of  you  are  in  it.     Give  the  boy! 
(He  throttles  Petrarch.) 


A   FAMILY  QUARREL  79 

Give  me  the  boy,  and  let  your  mistress  lie. 
The  boy,  the  boy,  —  give  me  my  boy,  I  say ! 

PETRARCH.     (With  great  solemnity.} 
Sir,  do  not  choke  me.     I  am  powerless. 
Someone  has  called  upon  the  Angel  Death. 
Pray  God  it  be  but  one  he  takes  away. 
Perhaps  the  lady,  —  see  her  leaden  eye 
And  pallid  cheek. 

HUGO 

The  Angel  Death? 

'Tis  nothing;  she  has  fainted.     Get  some  water. 
(Petrarch  and  Hugo  are  occupied  over  the  lady.) 

STARLING 

Where  is  Elf  kin?     I'll  find  him!     I'll  find  him! 

(He  runs  toward  the  door,  is  met  by  the  Monster, 

who  silently  makes  away  with  him  by  the 

same  method.     Neither    Hugo    nor  Petrarch 

observe  the  disappearance.) 

PETRARCH.     (To  Hugo.) 
See,  she  revives.     What  pain  is  in  her  brow. 
Not  rage,  but  humbleness  must  help  us  now. 
(Curtain.) 

END    OF    ACT    I 

(Enter  Fairy,  as  Chorus,  before  the  curtain.) 

FAIRY 

I  am  a  spirit  out  of  Fairyland, 
And  I  have  leave  to  walk  the  nurseries 
And  tell  the  news  to  babies  everywhere; 
For  into  Fairyland  was  Elfkin  brought, 
And  Starling  too.     The  fairies  keep  them  safe 
Until  the  foolish  parents  shall  turn  good. 


8o  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

Foolish  papa,  who  spoiled  his  little  boy! 

Foolish  mamma,  who  called  the  Monster  down ! 

They  must  be  punished.     Oh  unhappy  case! 

They  think  their  children  dead.  They  dress  in 
black, 

And  dry  their  tears  on  black-edged  handker- 
chiefs, 

And  cry  all  day  and  say  that  they  were  wrong. 

And  both  must  suffer  till  they  find  the  truth. 

The  father  must  be  brought  to  see  his  boy 

Just  as  he  is,  an  ugly  little  whelp, 

A  savage,  insolent,  neglected  child. 

And  oh,  the  mother,  too,  must  see  herself. 

She  was  too  proud  and  over-delicate, 

And  spoiled  her  Starling,  too.     Oh  now  she  sees 

That  little  Starling  needed  his  papa. 

Now  she  is  tender,  and  her  memory 

Shows  her  an  icy  image  of  herself 

That  makes  her  weep  afresh. 


ACT  II 

(Hugo  and  Sylvia.  A  sparsely  furnished  room, 
two  small  tables  at  right  and  left  center  of 
stage.  Both  parents  are  dressed  in  deep 
black.} 

HUGO 

I  have  consented;  but  it  is  for  your  sake, 
Sylvia;  I  will  adopt  a  child,  since  we  have  lost 
our  own  children. 

SYLVIA 

And  I  know  that  nothing  else  will  satisfy  you, 
Hugo.  Since  the  death  of  Elfkin,  you  have 
been  like  a  broken  creature.  You  have  lost 
your  son.  You  have  lost  your  companion. 
You  have  lost  your  occupation.  Your  nature 
needs  a  child.  You  cannot  live  without  one. 
You  must  adopt  one.  Hugo,  dear,  I  was 
wrong  to  thwart  you.  I  was  wrong  not  to  see 
how  deep  a  tie  there  was  between  you  and 
Elfkin.  And  I  set  Starling  against  you,  too! 
And  now  we  have  lost  them,  —  lost  them 
forever — !  (Weeps.} 

HUGO 

I  will  do  it  for  your  sake,  Sylvia;  but  I  can- 
not bear  to  think  of  any  stranger  child's  taking 
the  place  of  my  noble,  manly  boy,  my  hand- 
some, spirited,  talented  Elfkin,  who  was  a  joy 

81 


82  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

to  everyone.  The  servants  loved  him  even 
when  he  plagued  them.  This  new  child  will 
remind  me  of  Elfkin  —  that  is  the  worst. 

SYLVIA 

But  that  will  pass  away,  my  Hugo.  And 
the  happiness  of  having  a  child  in  the  house 
once  more  will  remain  to  us  both. 

HUGO 
I  have  consented  for  your  sake. 

SYLVIA 

(Rings  the  bell.     Enter  Petrarch.} 
Petrarch,  those  ladies  from  the  convent  called? 

PETRARCH 

(Looking  from  one  to  the  other.) 
I  have  Madame's  permission  to  relate? 

HUGO 

Yes,  Petrarch,  you  may  speak. 
PETRARCH 

They  came  again 

And  say  that  they  have  found  a  proper  child; 
His  teeth  are   good,  his  arms    and  legs    are 

straight, 

He  has  an  eye  of  fire  and  a  fist 
As  hard  as  a  potato.     And  his  spirit! 
It  is  the  image  of  our  former  saint. 

SYLVIA 

But  have  you  seen  him,  Petrarch? 
PETRARCH 

Hush!    The  nuns 

Hide  him  in  a  cage.     I  had  a  peep  at  him. 
They  wait  your  pleasure  in  the  Servants'  Hall, 


A   FAMILY  QUARREL  83 

And  while  they  wait  they  eat.     The  kitchen 

shelves 
Are   cleared  of   food,   and   what   they   cannot 

eat 

They  put  in  baskets  for  the  parish  poor. 
And,  if  your  excellence  takes  my  advice, 
You'll  see  them  soon. 

SYLVIA 
Poor  creatures!     Are  they  thin? 

PETRARCH 
As  fat  as  seals, 
With    hands   like  fins    and    eyes    like    billiard 

balls; 
They  frighten  me. 

HUGO 

Let  them  come  in. 
PETRARCH.     (Announcing.) 
Ladies,   the   Count  and    Countess   do    receive 

you. 

(Enter  two  nuns,  short  and  stout,  with  linen 
caps  very  wide,  their  hands  folded  upon  their 
stomachs.  They  enter  with  the  greatest 
aplomb,  curtsey  suddenly  to  Sylvia,  and 
station  themselves  one  on  either  side  of 
Hugo.  Hugo  is  in  the  center  of  the  stage, 
facing  the  audience.  They  also  face  the 
audience  and  stand  very  close  to  Hugo. 
Their  heads  are  fixed,  but  they  roll  their 
eyes  at  each  other  significantly  across  Hugo, 
as  if  to  say  "We've  got  him."} 

HUGO.     (To  Sylvia.) 
Save  me  at  need. 


84  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

SYLVIA 
You  must  speak  to  them. 

(To  Petrarch.)     Petrarch,  wait  outside. 
(Exit  Petrarch.) 

HUGO 
You  have  a  child  to  sell? 

.  FIRST  NUN 

No! 
SECOND  NUN 

Never! 
HUGO 
You  have  a  child  to  give? 

FIRST  NUN 

Not  that  either! 
SECOND  NUN 

Not  at  all! 
HUGO 
Can  I  get  the  child  ? 

FIRST  NUN 

Yes. 
SECOND  NUN 

Of  course. 
HUGO 
By  giving  money? 

FIRST  NUN 

Yes,  money. 
SECOND  NUN 

Money,  certainly. 
HUGO 
How  much? 

FIRST  NUN 

Oh,  oh,  oh,  one. 


A   FAMILY   QUARREL  85 

SECOND  NUN 

Oh,  oh,  oh,  one. 
HUGO 
One  thousand? 

(First  Nun  nods.) 
(Second  Nun  nods.) 

HUGO 

The  child  is  of  good  family  ? 
FIRST  NUN 

No,  not  very. 
SECOND  NUN 

As  good  as  yours. 
HUGO 
Strong  ? 

(They  nod.) 

HUGO 
Handsome? 

(They  shake  their  heads.) 

HUGO 
Good  tempered? 

( They  look  at  each  other  as  if  to  say,  tl  Who  shall 
begin,  you  or  7.?") 

FIRST  NUN 

That's  as  it  may  be. 
SECOND  NUN 

It  may  be  — 
FIRST  NUN 
It  may  be  a  baby 
Takes  after  the  father; 
And  who  then  can  say 
If  he's  tempered  that  way. 
If  he's  like  dear  Papa, 


86  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

It  grows  hard  to  decide. 

When  the  father's  a  monster  of  family  pride, 

And  the  baby's  a  pig  with  a  hornet  inside, 

Who  can  say  which  is  best? 

Who  can  tell  us  the  test? 

For  the  father  had  rather 

The  baby  resembled  that  horrible  pest, 

That  curse  to  mankind,  — 

For  all  fathers  are  blind. 

(Very  conclusively,  turning  sharply  to  Second 

Nun.} 
Isn't  it  so,  sister? 

SECOND  NUN.     (Very  conclusively.} 
ALL  parents  are  blind. 

(During  the  foregoing  monody  Hugo  has  made 
an  attempt  to  slip  out  by  moving  across  the 
room;  but  the  sisters  have  stuck  close  to  him.} 

HUGO 

Save  me,  sweet  wife,  I  am  caught  in  a  lock. 
These  women,  like  oysters,  cling  fast  to  the  rock. 
I'm  stiff  in  each  arm  and  I'm  under  a  charm! 
They  are  marching  me  off  to  the  stake  or  the 

block. 

O  love  of  my  life, 
Save  me,  sweet  wife. 

FIRST  NUN 

That's  as  it  may  be,  — 
SECOND  NUN 

It  may  be  — 
FIRST  NUN 
It  may  be  a  baby 
Takes  after  the  mother; 


A   FAMILY  QUARREL  87 

And  who  then  can  say 

If  he's  tempered  that  way. 

If  he's  like  dear  Mamma, 

It  grows  hard  to  decide. 

When  the  mother's  a  goose, 

With  her  head  on  one  side, 

And  the  baby's  a  darling, 

As  can't  be  denied. 

But  a  puppet,  a  plaything,  the  toy  of  her  mind, 

She  spoils  him  and  pets  him,  oh  wicked,  unkind! 

But  all  mothers  are  blind. 

(Very  conclusively,  turning  sharply  to  Second 

Nun.} 
Isn't  it  so,  sister? 

SECOND  NUN.     (Very  conclusively.} 
ALL  parents  are  blind. 

(During  this,  as  before,  Hugo  has  attempted  to 
escape.} 

HUGO 

Save  me,  sweet  wife,  I  am  caught  in  their  grip. 
These  horrible  sirens  will  not  let  me  slip. 
I'm  stiff  in  each  arm  and  I'm  under  a  charm, — 
They  are  marching  me  off  to  do  me  some  harm. 
O  love  of  my  life, 
Save  me,  sweet  wife! 

SYLVIA 

0  husband,  their  magic  is  falling  on  me, 

1  feel  myself  chained  like  a  rock  in  the  sea. 
To  help  you  I'd  willingly  forfeit  my  life, 

But  I'm  turning  to  stone,  and  no  good  as  a  wife. 
I  can't  stir  a  finger,  I  scarcely  can  moan, — 
O  husband,  forgive  me;  I'm  turning  to  stone. 


88  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

FIRST  NUN 

(To  Hugo,  somewhat  snappishly.) 
Do  you  still  want  the  boy? 
HUGO 

I  want  to  get  out. 
SECOND  NUN.     (To  Sylvia.) 
Do  you  still   want   to  help    this   unspeakable 
lout? 

SYLVIA 
Yes,  yes.     I  would  forfeit  my  soul  for  his  sake. 

SECOND  NUN 
Then  stand  by  his  side  while  the  contract  we 

make. 

(The  nuns  stand  behind  a  table  and  place  the 
parents  one  on  each  side.  They  then  pro- 
duce a  large  parchment.) 

FIRST  NUN 

This  agreement  means  to  say 
That  Hugo  and  his  wife 
Will  take  two  children  to  their  arms 
And  keep  them  all  their  life. 

HUGO 
No! 

SYLVIA 
Two!  Must  we  take  two! 

FIRST  NUN 

One  from  her  and  one  from  me; 
And  if  you  make  a  fuss, 
I'll  change  the  two  and  make  it  three, 
With  one  from  both  of  us. 
HUGO 
Can't  we  see  them  beforehand  ? 


A   FAMILY  QUARREL  89 

FIRST  NUN 

What  a  question!     See  them  beforehand? 
Did  you  ever  hear 

That  parents  chose  their  children  out 
Before  they  did  appear? 
You  must  be  crazy,  staring  mad 
To  ask  what  is  so  clear. 
Sign  the  paper,  both  of  you  — 
It's  what  all  parents  have  to  do. 
You  must  take  them  as  they  come, 
All  and  some. 

They  may  not  have  the  finest  wits, 
Nor  yet  the  fairest  hue; 
Though  others  think  your  boots  misfits, 
They're  good  enough  for  you. 
They're  good  enough,  and  just  enough,  — 
Just  good  enough  for  you. 
HUGO 

This    is    terrible!     What    beasts    are    they 
going  to  unload  on  us  ? 

SYLVIA 

Oh,  I'll  love  them  all  the  more.     They  will  at 
least  be  children  —  and  we  are  so  lonely. 

HUGO 

But  to  think  of  my  beautiful,  beautiful  boy! 
And  now  comes  some  ugly  common  child. 
(Both  parents  sigh.} 

FIRST  NUN 
Now,  Petrarch,  mind  your  eye. 

SECOND  NUN 
Fetch  the  canaries. 


90  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

(Enter  Petrarch   bearing   a  large   cage  covered 
with  brown  Holland.     He  sets  it  down  on  the 
table  at  left  center  of  stage.} 
BOTH  NUNS 

Sing  the  song  and  chant  the  words; 
Bring  the  cages,  bring  the  birds. 
Clip,  clap,  come  tree,  come  try, 
Open  the  door  and  let  them  fly. 

(They  remove  the  cage  and  disclose  Elf  kin. 
He  is  dressed  in  the  costume  of  Hercules, 
bare  arms  and  legs,  lion  skin  and  club.  His 
hair,  which  is  the  reddest  kind  of  carrot-hair, 
rises  in  a  stack  above  his  brow  and  then  falls 
to  his  waist  behind  his  shoulders.  He  has 
horns.  Petrarch  takes  the  cage.} 

HUGO 

A  devil's  own;  an  unholy  monster;  whose 
child  can  he  be?  What  kind  of  people  can  they 
be  who  have  had  such  a  child  as  that?  And  to 
think  of  my  handsome  Elf  kin! 

ELF  KIN 

Gettaway  all,  both  great  and  small, 
Gettaway,  gettaway,  gettaway  all! 
(Brandishes  his  club.} 

PETRARCH 
Just  like  our  dear  boy. 

HUGO 
Petrarch,  how  dare  you! 

PETRARCH 
Excuse  me,  sir. 

HUGO 
Did  you  ever  see  a  child  so  detestable!     I'm 


A   FAMILY   QUARREL  91 

ashamed  to  dislike  any  child;   but  really  to  see 
a  child  so  like  a  pig  — 

ELFKIN 

Yes,  pigs.     Go  see  pigs. 
HUGO 

They've  trained  him  to  imitate  our  lost 
beauty. 

BOTH  NUNS 
It's  well  for  mankind 
That  parents  are  blind; 
For  had  they  an  eye, 
They  would  let  their  brats  die. 

HUGO 

He  does  look  a  little  like  Elfkin.  What  devil- 
ish cunning!  And  what  a  horrible  punishment 
that  we  must  forever  be  reminded  of  our 
cupid  by  this  insect.  He  has  the  manners  of 
a  toad. 

SECOND  NUN 
Petrarch,  fetch  the  other  canary. 

SYLVIA 
Oh,  he's  a  darling  all  the  same. 

(She  approaches  Elfkin.) 

ELFKIN 

Gettaway  all,  both  great  and  small, 
Gettaway,  gettaway,  gettaway  all. 
(Brandishes  his  club.) 

(Enter  Petrarch  and  sets  another  cage  on  the 
small  table  in  right  center  of  stage.) 

BOTH  NUNS 

Sing  the  song  and  chant  the  words; 
Bring  the  cages,    bring  the  birds. 


92  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

Clip,  clap,  come  tree,  come  try, 
Open  the  door  and  let  them  fly. 

(They  remove  the  cage  and  disclose  Starling. 
He  has  a  doll  in  his  lap,  a  mob  cap  on  one 
side  of  his  head,  and  a  Mercury  staff  in  his 
hand.  Petrarch  takes  the  cage.} 

SYLVIA 

What  a  cunning  imp!  But  he's  a  sort  of  toy! 
A  Greek  imp,  fit  to  hand  Venus  her  pomatum 
pot.  A  bronze  pair  of  tweezers  to  trim  Psyche's 
lamp  with.  What  an  effeminate  little  angel! 
It's  not  a  child  at  all. 

HUGO 
He  looks  like  Starling. 

SYLVIA 

No.    Starveling!     Starveling!     What  a  poor, 
timid  creature!     He  should  be  sent  to  play  with 
the   villagers.     He   should   be   taught   to   trap 
animals    and    groom    horses.     He    should    be 
hardened.     He  needs  to  live  with  men  and  boys, 
open-air      life,  —  freedom.     His      poor      little 
muscles  are  like  cobwebs  —  and  what  a  lack- 
a-daisical    eye,    like    a     flower    that    droops. 
Hadn't  he  any  father  to  take  him  out  on  walks 
and  make  him  manly?     Hadn't  he  a  father? 
(The  fairy  appears  at  the  back  center,  standing 
on  a  bench.      The  two  nuns,  who  have  been 
standing   behind   the    tables,    now   stand   in 
such  a  way  as  to  make  a  pyramidal  arrange- 
ment of   the   personages  on    the    stage,    the 
fairy  being  the  apex.     Petrarch  stands  at  one 
side,  still  holding  the  cages.} 


A   FAMILY   QUARREL  93 

FAIRY 

Which  of  you  parents  was  the  most  to  blame, 
Or  fed  his  vanity  with  nicer  meat, 
Choosing  the  sensual  morsel  of  self-pleasure 
Out  of  the  wholesome  dish  of  parenthood? 
Yes,  ye  have  harmed  them  and  have  hurt  your- 
selves 

By  using  them  as  comrades  in  your  tastes. 
Was  it  for  thee,  thou  rustic  nobleman, 
Whose  education  follows  the  grand  tour 
Of  sporting  seasons,  to  shut  out  the  breath 
Of  gentle  influence  from  our  hedge-pig  here? 
Had  he  a  mother,  or  was  father  Hodge 
Father  and  mother  both  to  infant  Hodge? 
And  must  our  country's  future  be  content 
With  vistas  of  illimitable  Hodge,  — 
Unlettered  offspring  of  unthinking  sires,  — 
Trundling  their  ignorance  about  our  lanes 
And  hiding  in  the  hedge  to  shun  the  gaze 
Of  educated  men! 

(To  Sylvia.} 

And  thou  no  less! 

Because  this  boy  resembled  thee  in  something, 
Thou  took'st  him  for  a  genius.    Woe  upon  thee! 
Woe  to  the  favorite  child!    His  soul  is  drained 
By  devils  in  the  night,  that  suck  him  dry. 
Along  his  path  a  thousand  traps  are  hid 
That  spring  in  manhood,  yes,  in  after-life. 
More  men  are  crippled  by  a  parent's  love 
Than  by  the  wars.     Take  warning,  both  of  ye! 
Now  have  your  eyes  been  opened,  and  ye  see 
The  sorry  thing  a  favorite  child  may  be,  — 


94  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

A  starved  grape  upon  a  blighted  vine,  — 
And  how,  when  parents  quarrel,  children  pine. 
Each  of  you  is  dependent  on  the  other, 
The  father  is  as  helpless  as  the  mother. 
It  was  to  teach  you  this  your  children  dear, 
Your  children,  seemed  to  die,  and  yet  were  here. 
Therefore  rejoice!   It  is  a  rare  event 
When  parents  are  let  off  a  punishment. 


WILFRED  THE  YOUNG 
A  DRAGON-PLAY  FOR  BOYS 


CHARACTERS 
KING  DRACO 

CLAUDIAS,  a  Lord,  his  chief  counsellor 
LEO,  an  old  philosopher,  a  retainer  of  the  late  King 
Cleombrotus 

AMYAS  )  ,    T 

>•  servants  to  Leo 
EUCLID  ) 

WILFRED  THE  YOUNG  OF  OVERSEAS,  a  Knight 

T  1 

{•  children  of  the  late  King  Cleombrotus 
Dio         ) 

>  friends  of  the  children 
EUSEBIA  ) 

SIMEON,  an  old  beggar 

QUEEN  Dis,  an  enchantress,  sister  to  King  Draco 
LORDS  AND  LADIES,  a  Herald,  a  Pontifex,  servants, 
peasants  and  townsfolk 

ACT  I,  SCENE  I,  the  palace 

ACT  I,  SCENE  2,  outside  old  St.  Agnes'  Chapel 

ACT  II,  SCENE  I,  the  palace 

ACT  II,  SCENE  2,  Wilfred's  cabin 

ACT  II,  SCENE  3,  the  palace 

ACT  III,  SCENE  I,  Wilfred's  cabin 

ACT  III,  SCENE  2,  outside  the  Dragon's  Cave 


WILFRED    THE   YOUNG 
ACT  I 

SCENE    I THE    PALACE 

(The  King,  Claudias,  and  Lords.} 

KING 
One   hundred  in  a  twelvemonth,   youths    and 

maids, 

The  tender,  blushing  flowers  of  my  realm 
Has  this  foul  dragon  eaten.    Add  to  that 
The  yearly  tale  of  hero-hearted  knights 
Who  move  in  gay  procession,  one  by  one, 
In  glistening  hope  and  golden  armor  clad 
Against  the  monster's  jaws,  —  to  sanctify 
With  whitening  Christian  bones  his  horrid  cave. 
My  kingdom  is  unchilded;  yet  you  say 
The  slaughter  must  go  on. 

CLAUDIAS 

Not  so,  my  liege. 
I  say  it  is  a  heavy  ordinance 
And  we  lie  under  it.     Your  people  all 
Grieve  with  your  heart,  and  pour  their  tears 

with  yours. 

I  saw  but  yesterday  five  tragic  mothers 
Bend  with  distracted  grief  above  an  urn 
That  should  have  held  —  but  could  not  — 
their  son's  ashes. 

97 


98  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

KING 
Heavy,  heavy. 

CLAUD  IAS 

And  yet  the  time  is  near  when  more  must  go; 
Already  they  are  chosen  by  the  lot. 

KING 
Who  goes? 

CLAUDIAS 

Euphorion  and  old  Alcides'  son 
(Two  very  worthless  fellows,  good  my  liege). 
And,  —  I  forget  —  'twas  nobody  of  note. 
Ah!    Those  two  children  of  our  former  King, 
Cleombrotus'  two  children. 
KING 

The  lame  maid 
That  watches  by  the  well  ? 
CLAUDIAS 

The  same,  my  lord. 
KING 

Heavy,  heavy  dues, 
That  for  my  people's  life  I  heavily, 
Vainly  pay  out. 

CLAUDIAS 

Not  vain,  my  lord;    the  sins  of  all  are  washed 
Through  this  most  necessary  sacrifice, 
Sweet  in  the  eyes  of  heaven. 

KING 
Hath  not  the  maid  a  brother  that  she  tends  ? 

CLAUDIAS 

An  idiot  boy,  my  lord  — 
KING 

The  lot  falls  hard. 


WILFRED  THE   YOUNG  99 

CLAUDIAS 

The  lot  falls  true,  my  liege. 
They  are  the  children  of  your  enemy, 
And  with  them  dies  a  claim  upon  the  throne. 
For  though  but  few  dare  say  so,  some  dare 

think, 

This  idiot  boy  shall  one  day  wear  the  crown, 
And  that  no  children  shall  be  born  to  you 
While  this  boy  lives.    Therefore,  dear  sir,  I  say 
The  finger  of  God's  providence  is  here, 
Condemning  traitors. 

KING 
(Who  has  been  nodding  with  mechanical  and 

sad  assent,  now  looks  piously  toward  heaven.) 
So  may  it  prove! 

CLAUDIAS.     (To  the  rest.) 
The  King  is  sad;   he  suffers  for  the  poor. 
The  orphan's  prayer  unmans  him,  holy  man. 
Shall  we  not  fetch  some  joy,  some  merriment 
To  shake  the  oppressive  rancor  of  his  thoughts  ? 

(To  King.) 

Good  sir,  be  comforted;  what  human  fate 
Was  e'er  exempt  from  human  suffering,  — 
From  error,  evil,  accident,  disease,  — 
The  tolls  we  pay  in  passing  Cerberus 
To  reach  the  Elysian  Fields  ?    What  man  grows 

old, 

Nay,  reaches  middle  life  without  the  loss 
Of  child,  or  maiden  wife,  or  early  hope? 
And  if  his  limbs  are  sound,  'tis  but  a  mask; 
His  teeth,  his  hair,  his  talk,  betray  the  tax. 
So  of  our  kingdom's  curse,  this  dragon-pest, 


ioo  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

That  eats  our  children;  if  he  ate  them  not, 
Would   they   not   die    of   small-pox,   perish   in 

wars, 
Which,  God  be  praised,  we  know  not  in  this 

age 
Under  the  even  justice  of  our  King? 

KING 
Enough,  good  Claudias.     I  will  be  ruled. 

CLAUD  IAS.     (To  the  others.} 
You  hear,  he  will  be  ruled. 

(Murmurs  of  approval.} 

FIRST  COURTIER 

Will  your  Majesty  be  as  merry  as  at  the  last 
tournament? 

SECOND  COURTIER 
Shall  we  have  sports  again,  your  Majesty? 

CLAUDIAS 
Aye,  he  consents.     (Murmurs  of  approval.} 

THIRD  COURTIER 
More  sports,  O  Jupiter,  what  joy! 

FIRST  COURTIER 

There's  a  new  youth  come  to  try  his  skill  at 
a  game  of  jack-straws  with  the  dragon  before 
the  cave  on  Wednesday  morning.  There'll  be 
some  sport  in  that. 

SECOND  COURTIER 

He  comes  from  over  sea  and  calls  himself 
Wilfred. 

THIRD  COURTIER.     (To  King.} 
I  have  a  petition  to  your  Majesty;  it  is  that 
no  one  shall  be  allowed  to  wear  mourning  for 
more  than  three  weeks  for  any  brother,  child, 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG  101 

father,  grandfather,  or  sweetheart  eaten  by  the 
dragon.  It  spoils  all  sport,  this  weeping;  and 
for  what?  Old  relatives  that  — 

A  VOICE 
I  have  some  that  I  could  spare.      (Laughter.) 

KING 

Nay,  gentlemen,  hear  me.  It  shall  be  as 
you  desire.  But  first,  to  still  some  clamors  of 
the  people,  and  perhaps  too  of  mine  own  con- 
science, I  have  sent  to  consult  old  Leoncino  the 
philosopher. 

FIRST  COURTIER 
I  thought  he  was  dead  long  ago. 
SECOND  COURTIER. 

Not  dead,  but  under  ground.  He  lives  in 
the  crypt  under  St.  Agnes'  Chapel.  They  will 
hardly  be  able  to  find  him  among  the  other 
bones. 

THIRD  COURTIER 
What,  the  tutor  to  the  late  tyrant's  children  ? 

A  VOICE 
A  harmless  old  menial! 

KING 

Softly,  softly,  gentlemen.  I  have  thought 
well  to  consult  him;  and  I  beg  you  to  treat 
him  with  respect  when  he  comes. 

FIRST  COURTIER 
Certainly,  your  Majesty. 

SECOND  COURTIER 

We  will  treat  him,  your  Majesty,  with  such 
courteous  contempt  as  the  silken  wolf-hound 


102  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

shows  to  the  toothless  old  St.  Bernard  who 
limps  out  of  his  kennel  at  the  smell  of  bread 
crumbs.  (Laughter.} 

CLAUD  IAS 
Beware,  spaniels!     Old  dogs  bite. 

A  VOICE 
Old  dogs  never  bite  puppies.     (Laughter.') 

SERVANT.     (Announcing.} 
Leo,  the  philosopher,  waits  upon  your  High- 
ness for  an  audience. 

KING 
Bid  him  come  in. 

THIRD  COURTIER 
It  is  the  first  act  in  the  new  revels ! 
(Enter  Leo,  supported  by  his  servants  Amyas 
and  Euclid.     He  is  a  very  old  man  and  blinks 
at  the  light.} 

KING 

Leo,  although  thy  leaning  to  our  rule 
Has  not  been  loyal,  we  have  suffered  thee 
To  live  unvexed  within  our  palace  walls, 
Nursing  the  past,  because  thou  wast  a  noble, 
And  thine  attachment  to  mine  uncle's  kin 
Most  natural. 

CLAUDIAS 

It  was  an  act,  my  lord, 
More  like  the  sovereign  clemency  of  God 
Than  human  mildness! 

KING 
(With  a  gesture  commanding  silence  to  Claudias.} 

Had  I  been  cruel, 
The  path  of  justice  pointed  to  the  block. 


WILFRED  THE   YOUNG          103 

LEO.     ( To  his  servants.) 
What  says  he? 

KING 
Justice,  old  Leo,  justice  required  your  death. 

LEO.     (To  his  servants.) 
My  eyes  are  dim:   I  cannot  read  the  word. 

FIRST  COURTIER 
This  is  the  oldest  owl  in  Thrace.        (Laughter.) 

KING 

Silence!    Claudias,  make  clear  the  antechamber. 

(Claudias  does  so  in  dumb  show.) 
Shall  I  be  obeyed! 

(Exeunt  courtiers.) 

(To  the  servants.)      Give  him  a  chair.     Go, 
Claudias  with  the  rest. 
I  have  a  thread  in  this  old  ruffian's  life 
Which  none  of  you  doth  share. 
(Exit  Claudias.) 

He  cannot  speak. 

Too  many  listening  presences  oppress  him. 
Darken  the  chamber,  so.     (They  do  so.) 

A  candle  there! 
(A  lighted  candle  is  brought.) 
See,  it  restores  him:   he  is  easier. 
Speak  to  him,  some  of  you  whose  voice  he 
knows. 

AMYAS 
Master,  what  see  you? 

(To  the  King.)  Only  thus  he  talks, 
By  talking  to  himself.  You  must  not  speak. 
Master,  how  goes  your  dreaming? 


io4  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

LEO 

Things  to  me 

Before  they  happen  are  as  clearly  seen 
As  in  a  silver  midnight  clouds  are  bright. 
But  when  the  daylight  dawns  and  shows  the 

deed 
My  eyes  are  blinded. 

KING.     (Aside.} 
Good.     I'll  use  my  own 

To  see  what's  in  the  world,  and  yours,  good  Leo, 
Shall  tell  us  what's  to  come. 

(To  servant.)     Urge  him,  Amyas. 
Hush,  he  begins. 

LEO 

I  saw  the  heavens  ablaze  with  countersigns, 
Flags  signaling,  and  armies  in  the  sky. 
Arcturus  draws  his  arrow  to  the  head; 
And  o'er  the  dragon's  cavern  on  the  hill 
A  starry  pageant  shines. 

KING.     (Aside.} 

The  dragon's  fate! 
This  is  the  very  key  to  all  my  fears. 
For  I  do  fear  my  dynasty  doth  stand 
Upon  the  life  and  tenure  of  the  dragon; 
And  if  the  dragon  die,  — 
LEO 

A  robe  of  fire 

Enwraps  a  many-pinnacled  pavilion 
Or  casket-shaped  cathedral  made  of  light; 
And,  from  the  furry  fringes  of  the  robe, 
Low-hanging  lamps  attend  the  evening  star 
Across  our  hilltop  — 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          105 

KING 

Show  me,  show  me,  Leo! 

LEO 
Who  be  you? 

KING.     (After  a  moment's  pause.) 
I  am  your  ancient  master,  your  good  friend, 
Cleombrotus,  whose  children  you  brought  up. 
The  King  Cleombrotus  — 

LEO 
Cleombrotus! 

KING.     (Aside.) 

I  must  deceive  him  or  he  will  not  speak. 
(To  Leo.)     Cleombrotus,  your  master. 

LEO 

Is  it  thou  ? 

I  have  awaited  thee,  O  Master  mine! 
Be  it  in  the  spirit,  or  beyond  the  world, 
Where  past  and  future  mingle,  I  behold 
Thee  and  thy  children,  not  as  now  they  are, 
But  radiant,  restored,  and  re-established: 
The  rightful  rulers  of  a  happy  race. 
And  this  last  filthy  tyrant  swept  away! 
(Amy  as  and  Euclid  fall  on  their  knees.} 

AMYAS 

Mercy,  your  Highness!    Hold  us  not  to  blame 
For  these  unmeaning  ravings  of  old  age. 
We  knew  it  not!     Nor  are  accountable. 
No  more  is  he,  nor  spoke  not  so  before, 
But  ever  praised  your  Highness'  nobleness; 
And  this  bad,  frothy  treason  on  his  lips 
Portends  his  coming  death. 


106  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

KING 

Silence,  you  fools! 

To  hear  this  secret  have  I  fatted  him, 
And  starved  myself.   Which  dog  of  you  shall  bark 
Dies  by  my  hand.     And,  but  I  dare  not  stir, 
I'd  kill  you  now  for  pastime.     Make  him  go  on. 

AMYAS 

What  do  you  see,  my  lord  ? 
EUCLID 
Aye,  father  dear,  what  vision  do  you  see? 

LEO 

My  master,  the  old  King,  in  apparition, 
Shedding  his  benediction  over  me. 
Ye  cannot  see  him!    O  thou  glorious  truth, 
That  shin'st  alone  upon  the  eye  of  faith, 
Seeming  but  mock  and  laughter  to  the  world; 
Yet  being  life  and  substance  to  all  else, 
The  bone  and  basis  of  reality. 
Cleombrotus,  the  end  of  ill  draws  nigh. 
The  dragon  sickens,  and  his  meted  life 
Clanks  to  its  close. 

KING.     (In  a  constrained  voice.} 
How  so  ?    What  dragon  mean  you  ?    For  to  us 
Who  live  in  limbo,  no  news  penetrates, 
And,  save  the  straggling  beams  that  light  a 

dungeon, 
Shards  of  a  broken  world,  we  know  no  news. 

LEO 

News,  wouldst  thou,  news?     Thou  knowest 
nothing? 

KING 
Nothing  except  the  tomb. 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          107 

LEO 

O  grisly  fate! 

Thou  who  didst  make  thy  children  into  gods, 
How  canst  thou  hear  their  present  sufferings 
Without  a  heart-break!    Thekla,  thy  sweet  girl, 
That  hung  upon  the  brink  of  maidenhood 
Enamoring  the  current  stream  of  the  world 
With  her  unconscious  petals,  was  shot  through 
With  Phoebus'  shaft.     She  sickened  to  a  stalk, 
And  now,  a  crook-back,  hobbles  through  the 

streets. 

The  unpaved  alleys  know  her,  and  those  banks 
Where  peasant  women  knit  along  the  quay. 
Mothers  do  wince  to  watch  the  little  maid, 
Holding  her  rag  of  broken  motherhood 
Above  thy  witless  son. 

KING 

Oh  very  piteous! 
Came  there  a  dragon  after  I  had  died? 

LEO 

A  dragon?    Yes,  thy  murderer  the  King, 
The  false  and  wicked  Draco.    With  him  came 
His  soul  that  is  a  dragon;   and  that  soul 
Assumed  its  visible  shape,  and  on  our  hill 
Burrowed  its  horrid  cave.    That  frightful  beast 
Is  Draco's  soul.    It  lives  and  dies  in  him; 
And  when  it  dies,  dies  Draco. 

KING.     (Aside.) 

There  spake  God! 

There  fell  the  ax,  the  thunder-stroke  of  truth. 
I  dreamed  of  this!    I  knew  it,  I  have  guessed  it: 
And,  but  I  had  the  wit  to  find  this  out, 


io8  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Here  had  I  perished;   but  I  vow  to  heaven 
That  dragon  shall  not  die! 

Say,  ancient  man  — 

(He  checks  himself  and  assumes  the  proper  tone.) 
Father,  most  reverend  sir,  most  holy  friend, 
Tell  me  once  more.    That  dragon,  shall  he  die? 

LEO 

His  conqueror  doth  stand  without  the  gate! 
And  his  black  vitals  shall  bedew  the  ground 
Outside  his  cave. 

Ki  N  G.     (  With  fury . ) 

And  I  say  they  shall  not! 
Ho!  bar  the  door! 

(Enter  men-at-arms.) 
Take  this  old  fool  to  his  kennel. 

(To  Amy  as  and  Euclid.)     Not  you  two! 
Ye  must  be  housed  awhile  with  me,  my  friends, 
To  see  what  thrift  is  found  within  your  skins. 
Sharing  kings'  secrets  is  a  serious  game, 
Though  played  by  innocent  men. 

(To  guard.)     Take  them  away. 
Thus  do  I  save  my  life  and  keep  my  state: 
Foreknowledge  makes  us  masters  of  our  fate. 


ACT  I 

SCENE    II 

( The  outside  of  old  St.  Agnes'1  Chapel,  a  decayed 

Gothic  building  in  the  suburbs.      Wilfred  in 

armor.     He  is  sitting  on  a  bench  or  an  old 

tombstone.) 

WILFRED 
Here  have  I  watched  since  midnight;   now  the 

dawn 

Turns  on  his  pillow,  and  gray,  ancient  walls 
Unfold  their  welcome  to  the  morning  air. 
Surely  some  guidance  led  me  to  the  spot, 
So  near  I  feel  to  God  and  to  my  quest. 
But  that  his  name  stands   writ  among  the 

damned, 

I  should  account  King  Draco  a  good  king; 
Yet  in  the  trumpet-call  that  brought  me  here, 
Tongues  of  despair  out-clanged  the  voice  of 

God 

In  curses  on  him.     Strange  how  kind  men  are, — 
Everywhere  curtesy  and  kind  approach; 
The  dragon  is  not  known  save  where  he's  not,  — 
Abroad,  and  in  the  books;  but  in  his  home 
Half  of  the  folk  has  never  heard  of  him. 
And  yet  they  have.      To  find  him,  that's  my 

quest. 

I  saw  an  honest  face  in  the  market-place, 
109 


i  io  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

A  sort  of  nun  or  convent  waiting-maid, 
One  whom  I  thought  to  ask,  and  then  I  lost 

her. 
But  she  comes  again,  — 

(An  angel  walks  across  the  stage  and  goes  into 
the  church.  Wilfred  is  about  to  speak  to 
her,  but  does  not.) 

A  very  decent  person  —  I  spoke  not 
Because  she  wore  some  business  on  her  brow 
That  robed  her  looks  in  action.      Some  good 

deed 

Shone  in  her  face  and  rolled  before  her  feet, 
As  rolls  the  wave  before  Aurora's  tread, 
Purple  yet  arrowed  through  with  Phoebus'  shots, 
Thick-falling  from  the  god  behind  the  dawn. 
A  nun,  no  doubt,  and  this  a  nunnery. 

(He  sits  a  moment  in  contemplation,  then  rises 
slowly,  draws  his  sword,  and  plants  it, 
hilt  up,  a  little  toward  the  back  of  the  stage. 
He  kneels  before  the  sword  on  both  knees,  his 
hands  clasped  stiffly  before  him,  his  helmet 
beside  him,  like  a  crusader.  Enter  Thekla 
and  Dio.  Thekla  is  a  child  of  twelve,  on 
crutches;  she  is  dressed  in  a  tattered  shawl. 
Dio  is  a  child  of  three.  They  have  some 
roadside  flowers.) 

THEKLA 

Hold  them  tighter,  Dio,  —  thus,  —  both  hands. 
Dear  father  Leo  wants  them  for  his  cell; 
The  picture  wants  them,  where  the  candles  are, 
And  all  the  stony  men  who  stand  so  still, 
To  watch  us  in  the  chapel.    Saints  love  flowers, 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG  in 

And  flowers,  though  they  be  weeds,  are  baby's 

friends. 

No,  I  say!  Hold  them  so!  — What  ails  the  child? 
He  was  so  good,  he  grew  so  well  again, 
And  seemed  so  sensible;   he  grew  so  wise; 
The  dandelion,  buttercup,  and  clover 
He  would  pull  up  and  name  them  like  a  book; 
And  yesterday,  this  sprig  of  bridal-wreath 
He  found  and  brought   and  wound  it  in  my 

hair; 

But  now  he  wanders,  he  is  lost  again 
And  drops  his  blossoms!    Dio!    Baby  Dio! 

Dio.     (Holding  up  his  hand.} 
Hark! 

THEKLA 
What,  baby? 

Dio 
Music! 

THEKLA 

Oh  heavens,  there  is  no  music!    This  he  doth 
Before  the  fit  shall  seize  him.    Dio,  Dio, 
Thekla  will  hold  him.     Come  to  sister  Thekla. 

Dio.     (Pushes  her  away.} 
Hush!     Music.! 

THEKLA 
There  is  no  music,  darling.     (Weeps.} 

WILFRED.     (Aside.} 

What  roadside  flowerets,  trodden  in  the  dust, 
That  show  like  angels  in  their  inner  shrine, 
And  yet  so  crushed. 

(To  Thekla.}     What  is  it,  little  miss? 
What  makes  you  clutch  the  child? 


ii2  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

THEKLA 

His  mind  is  gone. 

He  was  so  well;  and  father  Leo  says 
He  surely  will  get  well,  but  all  his  fit 
Ever  comes  on  him  in  the  thought  of  music. 
His  silly  brains  hear  music  in  the  air. 

WILFRED 

Aye,  but  there's  music.     Music!     I  hear  music. 
Music  there  is,  sweet  maid;   be  sure  of  that. 
(Music  is  now  heard  for  the  first  time,  pianis- 
simo.     The  knight  takes  Dio  on  his  knee 
and  sits  on  the  stone  bench,  or  gravestone, 
next  to  Thekla.} 

There  is  more  sense  in  him  than  in  thyself, 
Thou  trustful  little  witch.    His  eye  is  bright; 
But  thou  hast  watched  too  long  beside  his  cot. 
Who  are  ye  both  ?    Stray  village  sufferers,  — 

THEKLA 

They  say  we  are  the  children  of  a  king, 
But  I  believe  it  not,  — 

WILFRED 

King's  children  beg? 
THEKLA 

Nay,  we  beg  not:  old  Leo  gives  us  bread, 
Sometimes  bright  silver  bits  to  buy  us  shoes, 
And  we  are  lodged  with  Dame  Eusebia. 

WILFRED 
Old  Leo  is  your  friend  ? 

THEKLA 

Why,  without  him 

We  must  have  starved.    But  he  is  very  rich 
And  very  good;   and  we  are  his  dependents, 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          113 

His  children  or  his  kin,  I  know  not  which. 
We  are  well  cared  for:   why  what  can  we  lack? 
If  Dio's  well,  then  all  the  world  is  well, 
And  we  are  happy.    Dio,  Dio. 

(Kisses  the  child.) 
Will  you  grow  well  again  ? 

(To  Wilfred.)     He  was  a  baby, 
So  fat  and  round;   and  then  he  grew  so  thin, 
And  then  his  wits  went  wrong;  he  could  not 

walk. 

Old  Leo  lays  his  hands  upon  our  heads, 
And  prays  us  well. 

WILFRED 

The  lad  is  well  enough. 
THEKLA 
Bless  God! 

(She  kneels  towards  the  church  and  makes  the 
sign  of  the  cross,  instructing  the  child  to  do 
likewise.) 

WILFRED.     (Aside.) 

Lo,  we  knight-errants  run  about  the  world 
To  find  adventures,  while  the  sacred  poor 
Crouch  at  our  gates  at  home.     Such  birds  as 

these 

Hop  on  the  village  greens  of  every  land, 
And  chivalry  not  feeds  them.    What's  a  knight? 
Is  he  not  one  to  whom  the  Saviour's  blood, 
Unless  a  gold-encrusted,  crystal  cup 
Inclose  it  as  a  relic,  seems  unclean? 
Is  he  not  one  who  draws  his  strength  to  fight 
From  silken  banners  in  a  gallery? 
Whom  undergoing  vanity  sustains 


ii4  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

To  do  a  prodigy  before  a  king 

But  wants  the  nerve  alone?    A  dragon,  said  I? 

Yes,  on  a  Festa,  all  the  world  to  see 

And  I  the  hero!     Folly,  pettiness! 

Yet  o'er  land  and  sea 
Thousands  of  leagues  have  I  o'er  coursed  the 

earth 
To  find  what  was  at  home. 

(Starts  up.) 

But  I  have  found  it! 
I  will  adopt  these  children  as  my  own: 
I'll  put  them  in  my  shield,  with  the  device, 
"This  is  my  blood." 

(To  Thekla.)     Tell  me,  thou  little  woman, 
This  Leo  kind  is  old. 

THEKLA 

Oh  very  old. 
WILFRED 
And  he  may  die. 

THEKLA 

Oh  no,  he  will  not  die. 
WILFRED 

Come  here.    Take  Die's  hand.    He  is  my  child. 
I  do  adopt  him.     I  adopt  you  both. 
Place  his  hands  thus  in  mine;   he  is  my  thrall. 
Now  yours;   I  take  you  too.    Now  one  of  each. 
Old  Leo  when  he  comes  shall  bless  the  act, 
And  call  a  stronger  blessing  down  from  heaven. 
It  is  most  comfortable  to  have  children. 

(He  sits  on  the  bench,  holding  the  hand  of  each. 
The  door  of  the  church  opens,  the  music  grows 
louder,  and  enter  Eusebia,  Cephas,  and  one  or 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          115 

two  more  citizens;  then  four  bearing  a  bier 
on  which  is  the  body  of  Leo.) 

THEKLA 
O  father  Leo,  father  Leo! 

(She  throws  herself  upon  the  bier,  sobbing. 
When  the  newcomers  perceive  Wilfred,  the 
bier  is  set  down.) 

CEPHAS 

Sir  Knight,  I  know  not  if  ye  meet  us  here 
With  ill  intent,  or  as  a  Christian  friend. 

WILFRED 

Truly,  how  Christian  is  not  mine  to  say;    but 
as  a  friend. 

CEPHAS 
Be  ye  of  the  court? 

WILFRED 

Not  so.     A  visitor. 
Wilfred  the  Young,  a  knight  from  over  seas. 

CEPHAS 
Know  ye  the  children? 

WILFRED 

They  are  my  thralls :   I  have  adopted  them. 
(The  mourners  whisper.) 

EUSEBIA 

(Who  has  her  arms  about  Thekla.) 
Know  ye  their  history? 

WILFRED 

I  somewhat  know  it. 
You  are  Eusebia,  as  I  read  your  face. 

EUSEBIA 

Lo,  the  awaited  saint  who  meets  us  here 
Through  the  foreknowing  providence  of  God ! 


ii6  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

Offend  him  not,  good  Cephas,  he  is  good: 

The  children  trust  him,  and  I  saw  a  ray 

Fall,   as   from  heaven,  upon   the    dead    man's 

face. 

( The  angel  has  followed  in  at  the  head  of  the 
corpse,  but  is  noticed  by  no  one.) 

WILFRED 

Believe  me,  I'll  not  harm  ye. 
CEPHAS 

Good  Sir  Knight, 

We  must  with  expedition  bury  him; 
For  our  permission  runs  for  early  dawn, 
And  charges  that  the  utmost  secrecy 
Shall  cloud  the  earthing  of  this  good  old  man. 
More  I'll  dare  tell  ye  when  he's  in  the  ground. 
Follow  our  steps.       On,   comrades,  while  we 

may. 

Night  buries  grief.    Joy  cometh  with  the  day. 
(Exeunt  mourners  in  procession.     The  angel 
follows  at  the  head  of  the  bier.     Wilfred  and 
the  two  children  bring  up  the  rear.     Enter 
from  another  quarter  Claudias  and  a  Herald. 
They  put  up  notices  on  the  buildings.) 

CLAUDIAS 
Blow  and  collect  the  people. 

(Herald  blows.     Old  Simeon,  a  beggar,  comes 

in.) 

Where  are  the  people?     Where  is  Cephas? 
Herald,  blow  again. 

(Herald   blows.     More  people,   and  many    of 

them,  come  in.) 
Herald,  read  the  proclamation! 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          117 

HERALD 

King  Draco,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  all 
his  loving  people:  Out  of  the  great  care  his 
Majesty  has  for  the  safety  and  good  of  his 
people,  it  is  DECREED  that  Two  Great  Walls 
shall  be  built  from  the  city  to  the  Dragon's 
Cave.  So  that  no  citizen  shall  approach  the 
Dragon  or  go  near  his  cave  except  by  per- 
mission of  the  King. 

ALSO,  to  prevent  young  knights  from  being 
killed  by  the  Dragon,  it  is  DECREED  that  any 
knight  wishing  to  fight  the  Dragon  must  apply 
at  the  King's  palace  for  permission. 
Long  live  King  Draco! 

THE  PEOPLE 
Long  live  King  Draco! 

SIMEON 
Long  live  the  Dragon! 

CLAUD  IAS 
What  do  you  mean,  old  man? 

SIMEON 

I  say  that  by  this  proclamation  the  King  has 
given  the  Dragon  a  nice  garden  wall  to  his 
house.  It  will  save  our  journey  up  the  hill.  We 
can  throw  the  children  into  the  paddock  and  let 
the  Dragon  eat  them  in  his  after-dinner  walk. 

CLAUD  IAS.     (To  Herald.) 
Who  is  that  mad-man? 

HERALD 

It  is  old  Simeon,  my  lord.  He  is  not  in  his 
wits  or  he  should  have  been  banished  with  the 
rest  long  ago. 


n8  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

CLAUD  IAS 

Proceed  with  the  proclamation.  Blow  again! 
(Herald  blows.)  Read  the  proclamation. 

HERALD 

A  Tournament!  King  Draco,  out  of  his 
great  love  and  tender  care  for  his  people's  hap- 
piness, and  because  there  has  of  late  been  too 
much  grief  in  the  land,  has  Proclaimed  a  Week 
of  Merrymaking,  at  the  close  of  which  a 
Great  Tournament  will  be  held.  You  are 
therefore  commanded  to  put  off  all  signs  of 
mourning  and  repair  to  your  homes,  and,  dress- 
ing yourselves  in  festival  attire,  to  give  your- 
selves up  to  Joy  and  Feasting.  Long  live 
King  Draco! 

SIMEON 

I  say  long  live  the  Dragon.  It  is  now  for- 
bidden for  any  mother  to  weep.  Long  live 
the  Dragon. 

CLAUDIAS.     (To  Herald.) 
Have  that  man  sent  to  the  palace.     He  is  in 
need  of  something.     Herald,  proceed. 

HERALD 

For  one  week,  beginning  Tuesday  following, 
free  food  and  drink  will  be  given  to  all  citizens 
who  repair  to  the  outer  booths  at  the  Old  Lists. 
Long  live  King  Draco! 

PEOPLE.     (With  real  enthusiasm.) 

Long  live  King  Draco! 
CLAUDIAS.     (To  Herald.) 
Now,  Herald,  to  the  market!     Cephas!     Let 
us  find  Cephas. 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          119 

(Amid  the  huzzahing  and  waving  of  caps 
Claudias  and  the  Herald  exeunt.  Enter 
Wilfred,  deep  in  conversation  with  Cephas. 
The  other  mourners  follow  in  and  mingle 
with  the  populace.  Eusebia  keeps  Thekla 
and  Dio  in  her  charge.} 
CEPHAS 

To  save  our  city's  name,  we  long  have  tried 
To  choose  the  fated  children  out  by  lot, 
And  secretly  convey  them  to  the  cave. 

WILFRED 

O  miserable  men!    Your  King  consents 
To  have  your  children  eaten? 
CEPHAS 

He  has  tried. 
(Appeals  to  citizens.} 
Has  not  King  Draco  done  his  best  to  save? 

(There  is  no  answer.} 
Have  not  young  knights  gone  forth? 

SIMEON 
And  ne'er  come  back. 

FIRST  WOMAN 
Two  of  my  boys  - 

SECOND  WOMAN 
My  baby  boy  of  five. 

THIRD  WOMAN 
All,  all  of  mine. 

CEPHAS 
The  King  is  good,  but  cannot  stop  the  plague. 

SIMEON 
The  plague  takes  not  the  rich. 


120  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

FIRST  WOMAN 

The  King  is  safe, 
He  has  no  children. 

WILFRED.     (Aside.) 
Yet  the  nobles  say  there  is  no  dragon. 

(To  Cephas.) 

Now  they  send  them  up, 
Chosen  by  lot,  you  say?    Who  draws  the  lots? 

CEPHAS 

The  King's  own  officers,  his  trusted  men. 
We  have,  Sir  Knight,  a  compact  with  the 

Dragon, 

By  computation  keeping  down  his  due 
To   just    and    certain    bounds  —  four  boys  a 
month. 

WILFRED 
Four  boys  a  month! 

CEPHAS 

No  more,  Sir  Knight. 
'Tis  fixed  and  certain:   and  his  Majesty 
Hath  staked  his  honor  more  shall  not  be  sent, 
Nor  this  appointed  number  overdrawn, 
While  stands  his  kingdom.     In  King  Draco's 

word 
Lies  our  protection. 

WILFRED 

Sacred  name  of  God, 
Is  this  protection?     An  anointed  king 
Feeds  his  own  subjects  to  the  cruel  jaw, 
And  it  is  named  protection.     Stand  ye  off! 
Ye  are  polluted  all  of  you  with  crime: 
Ye,  ye  yourselves  do  give  your  babes  to  death. 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          121 

(To  Cephas.) 

And  thou,  unreverend  man,  that  tremblest  here, 
Thou  art  a  pandar. 

SIMEON 

There  spoke  the  truth. 
FIRST  WOMAN.      (Kneels.) 
Save  us,  Sir  Knight,  we  cannot  save  ourselves. 
(The  citizens  begin  to  cluster  and  kneel  about 
the  knight.) 

SECOND  WOMAN 

(Whispering  hoarsely  and  vehemently.) 
If  any  quail,  his  children  go  the  next, 
And  if  a  man  speak  out  against  the  dragon, 
He  disappears  and  leaves  no  word  behind. 

THIRD  WOMAN 

We  are  betrayed,  Sir  Knight,  and  very  weak, 
We  know  not  how  to  fight.     Thou  art  a  youth 
Scarce  a  day  older  than  my  eldest  boy, 
Who  went  to  fight  but  as  a  peasant  can, 
And  died  in  the  deadly  cave. 

FIRST  WOMAN 

Oh  judge  us  not, 
But  help  us,  holy  sir. 

WILFRED 

So  God  me  help, 

As  I  here  dedicate  my  utmost  strength 
To  save  this  people. 

SECOND  WOMAN 

Harkee,  more's  to  come. 
These  proclamations  and  festivities 
Go  with  new  slaughters.     It  is  always  so; 
The  lot  fell  yesterday;   but  some  delay 


122  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Has  kept  the  dragon  hungry.     For  at  dawn 
I  saw  two  smoky  columns  in  the  sky. 
At  noon  he'll  breakfast  in  the  market-place 
Unless  he's  fed  before. 

WILFRED 

Nay,  that  he'll  not! 

Trust  me  but  with  the  knowledge  of  this  beast, 
And  I  ere  sunset  will  deliver  him 
Dead  in  the  market-place,  and  stuck  with  flags 
To  make  your  burghers  cry,  "a  barbecue." 
Ye  are  enchanted,  all  of  you,  I  think; 
The  smell  of  his  foul  breath  is  over  ye, 
Which  with  the  fumigation  of  new  courage 
Will  soon  be  blown  away.     Your  hand,  good 

friends, 
For  this  cause  am  I  come. 

(They   cluster   about   Wilfred   and   grasp    his 
hand.} 

HERALD.     (Without.) 
Cephas,  where  is  Cephas? 

A  VOICE 
Cephas  is  called. 

(Enter  Claudias  and  Herald.) 

CLAUD  IAS 

Cephas,  the  King,  in  honor  of  the  feast 
Lately  proclaimed,  makes  thee  a  Minister. 
Cephas,  the  People's  Friend,  receive  this  chain. 
King  Draco  loves  thee  well. 
(Cephas  kneels  while  Claudias  places  a  gold  chain 
about  his  neck;    he  then  rises.     The  people 
have  been  clustering  about  Claudias  and  the 
Herald  and  have  left  the  knight  alone.    Shouts 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          123 

of  "Cephas,  long  live  Cephas!  Cephas,  your 
hand!  Bravo!"  etc.  Cephas  is  clapped  on 
the  back  and  surrounded.} 

CEPHAS 

I  thank  his  Majesty,  and  I  thank  you  all. 
I'll  serve  you  all,  aye  all,  the  lowliest  born, 
The  peasant,  burgher,  prince,  the  Crown  itself: 
To  all  the  realm  I'll  be  a  faithful  servant. 

SIMEON 

And  to  the  Dragon!     Don't  forget  the  Dragon! 
(Wilfred,  who  has  been  looking  on  in  silence, 
and  with  curiosity,  now  moves  across   and 
talks  to  the  beggar  in  dumb  show.} 

CLAUDIAS 

The  King  confers  this  title  on  thee,  Cephas: 
"  Executor  of  the  Crown  and  People's  Tribune, 
Having  the  rank  of  Herald,  and  the  right 
To  stand  in  the  royal  presence." 
'Tis  thy  function  to  read  the  lots  aloud. 

(The  Herald  now  presents  an  ugly,  crape- 
covered,  oblong  box,  and  holds  it  while 
Cephas  opens  it.} 

SIMEON.     (To  Wilfred.} 
This  is  the  ceremony  every  month. 
The   names   he   reads   are   children   that  must 
die. 

WILFRED.     (Stepping  forward.} 
Stand  back!    Go  tell  your  King  that  none  shall 

die; 

A  knight  shall  fight  the  dragon. 
CLAUDIAS 

Please  you,  sir, 


124  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

This  kingdom  must  go  on,  though  knights  may 

fight. 

Until  the  dragon  fall,  he  must  be  fed. 
'Tis  ever  so :  our  customs  call  for  it. 
Good  stranger  Knight,  whose  case  of  brilliant 

steel 

Nobly  reports  a  son  of  chivalry, 
Wait  till  the  tribune  speaks. 
(To  Cephas.}     Cephas,  say  on. 

WILFRED.     (Interrupting.} 
This  man  a  tribune! 

CEPHAS 
Good  sir,  a  word!    We  but  fulfil  the  law. 

WILFRED 
Thou'lt  read  the  names  of  children  that  must  die! 

CEPHAS 
It  is  the  law. 

WILFRED 
Thou  whited  sepulchre! 

(Strikes  Cephas  in  the  mouth  with  the  back  of 
his  hand.  Screams  of  women  and  confu- 
sion.} 

CLAUD  IAS.     (To  soldiers  without.} 
Arrest  him! 

WILFRED 

Thou  wilt  arrest  a  knight?    Thou  paper  doll! 
Let  any  man  approach  within  a  yard, 
And  I  will  kill  him. 

(The  people  and  soldiers  fall  back.  Wilfred 
checks  his  fury.} 

Why,  may  God  forgive  me. 
I  'most  had  slain  thee.    Nay,  what  foolish  game 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG         125 

Is  this  ye  play,  good  people,  with  your  straws, 
Like  children  in  a  barnyard?    Should  I  strike, 
My  honor  were  disgraced,  and  nothing  done. 
I  will  not  fret  you :  let  the  play  go  on. 
It  will  not  hurt.     But  this  I  swear  to  you  — 
No  children  more  shall  die. 
CLAUD  IAS 

A  sensible  conclusion. 
(Confidentially  to  Wilfred.} 
A  popular  and  ancient  custom  here, 
And  interests  strangers. 

(The  people  cluster  about  Cephas  and  the 
Herald.  After  some  passings  of  the  box, 
and  symbolic  formalities,  Cephas,  with  great 
solemnity,  draws  and  reads.} 

CEPHAS 
"Euphorion  and  old  Alcides'  son." 

FIRST  WOMAN 
My  Zeno's  safe,  praise  God! 
Run,  run  and  tell  papa  our  Zeno's  safe. 

(Sends  off  small  boy.} 
CEPHAS.     (To  Claudias,  genially.} 
The  lot  has  taken  those  we  well  can  spare. 

SECOND  WOMAN 
O  Baranbas,  I  have  thee  still. 

(Hugging  her  child.  The  citizens  begin  to 
chatter  to  each  other  and  to  shake  hands.} 

A  VOICE 
Come    now,    here's    peace    for    a    month    at 

least. 
Let's  to  the  booth  outside  the  new  lists. 


126  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

SIMEON 

Fools,  there  are  more  names  to  be  read. 
(To  Cephas.)     Read  the  list,  Cephas! 

(The  people  cluster  once  more  about  Cephas 
and  the  Herald  with  intense   silent   excite- 
ment.    Cephas  tries  to  read,  but  dares  not.) 
WILFRED.     (Fiercely  to  Cephas.) 

Read! 
CEPHAS 
Thekla  and  Dio. 

WILFRED 
Liar! 

(As  he  says  this,  Wilfred  takes  a  stride  forward 
and  raises  his  sword  over  Cephas,  who  drops 
the  paper  and  falls  on  his  knees.  Claudias 
swings  off  the  cloak  from  the  Herald  and 
casts  it  over  Cephas.) 

CLAUDIAS 
Art  thou  a  knight  and  wilt  thou  strike  a  Herald? 

WILFRED 
He's  no  Herald! 

CLAUDIAS 

Aye,  he's  a  Herald;   his  commission  throws 
The  Herald's  sanctity  about  his  acts. 
And  in  the  name  of  chivalry  I  rear 
This  holy  symbol  o'er  him. 

(Raises  a  cross.     All  kneel.) 

WILFRED 

Nay,  I'll  not  kneel  to  thee.    Thou  art  a  devil. 
(Cries  of  the  people,  many  speaking  at  once: 
11  He  kneels  not  to  the  cross"     " Away  with 
him  /  "    "  He's  a  spy  !"    "  He  is  an  enemy  I " 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          127 

"Curse  him."  "My  boy  is  bewitched  that 
he  spoke  to  last  evening"  "He  hath  stolen 
two  children,  now  he  would  save  them  for 
himself"  "He  would  make  himself  King" 
etc.  Thekla  and  Dio  run  to  Wilfred  and 
cling  to  his  legs.} 

SIMEON.     ( To  Wilfred  aside.} 

Kneel,  you  were  best,  like  me:  it  is  no  harm. 
WILFRED.     (To  all.} 

Move  not  a  step,  but  hear  me!    He  that  stirs 
(Gazing  about  and  addressing  all.} 

Shall  die  in  his  footprints!     By  my  faith  in 
God, 

It's  not  the  cross  I  spurn,  but  those  who  raise  it; 

Nor  do  I  fight  a  dragon,  but  a  King! 

Draco,  King  Draco,  is  your  enemy; 

And  in  his  hideous  heart  he  hates  you  all 

And  eats  your  children.    Draco  I  do  fight. 

Bear  him  this  challenge,  Herald. 

(Flings  down  his  glove  at  Herald's  feet.} 
Now  go  home  — 

And  in  the  supplication  of  the  closet 

Ask  God  to  give  you  light. 

(The  Herald  picks  up  the  gauntlet,  and  all  go 
out  dispersedly  and  slowly,  Claudias  giving 
whispered  directions  to  Cephas.  Wilfred  is 
thus  left  alone  with  the  children.  There  is  a 
pause.} 

WILFRED 

What,  have  they  gone  and  left  us,  little  maid? 

They  could  not  help  thee:    they  being  gone 
away, 


128  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

Ye  are  more  safe;  for  they  are  enemies, 

Who  hide  the  devil  in  a  cloak  of  lies 

Till  conscience  cannot  find  him.    They  are  gone. 

And  if  our  strength  be  true  to  swing  the  sword, 

And  if  our  eye  be  clear  to  see  the  helm, 

It  is  because  false  friends  have  dropped  away, 

And  we  are  near  to  action.    Rise,  fond  heart, 

The  time  is  come  to  play  the  hero's  part. 


ACT  II 

SCENE  I THE  ROYAL  PALACE 

(The    King,    Claudias,    and    other    courtiers. 
The  glaive  is  on  the  floor.) 

KING 

Marvelous !     And  the  knight  doth  challenge  me  ? 
It  is  as  easy  kill  him  as  let  kill. 
Old  Leo's  prophecies  establish  us: 
My  life  is  charmed,  and  while  the  dragon  lives 
I  cannot  die.    We'll  fight  the  saucy  boy! 
This  Tournament  shall  show  a  king  in  arms. 

CLAUDIAS 

It  is  a  serious  youth,  not  too  well-bred; 
But  if  he  fight  as  nimbly  as  he  talks, 
Will  keep  you  dancing.     'Twould  have  made 

you  laugh. 
The  children  clung,  and  Cephas  prayed,  and 

Wilfred  Overseas 

Made  such  a  ranting  and  a  foam  of  words 
As  would  have  drowned  a  church. 
FIRST  COURTIER 

And  Claudias? 
CLAUDIAS 

Why  Claudias  kept  his  temper  and  the  glaive; 
And  ducked  to  dodge  the  flood. 

(Laughter.     A  sound  as  of  distant  thunder  is 
heard.) 

129 


130  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

KING 

What  sound  was  that? 

SECOND  COURTIER 
How  strangely  dark  it  grows, 
As  if  some  ghostly  fingers  snuffed  the  sun! 

CLAUD  IAS 

(Looking  out  of  the  window.} 
This  darkness  runs  before  our  thunderstorms, 
And  sheds  a  sheeted  pallor  o'er  the  earth. 
A    gust    of    summer    tempest;  —  straws    and 

sticks 

Flee  from  the  bailiff  wind  like  creditors; 
The  peasant's  wash,  uncounted,  skyward  soars, 
Flecking  the  black,  while  all  his  family, 
Hens,    pigs,    and    colts,    the    master   and    the 

maid, 

Run  to  the  shed,  half  carried  by  the  blast. 
The  storm  doth  make  his  progress  like  a  god; 
Dust  in  a  column  rides  his  axle-tree, 
And  cataracts  of  water  crash  behind. 
King  Zeus  rides  by! 

(The  storm   has  been   increasing  through   ike 
speech?) 

KING 

Do  not  jest  at  it. 
Darkness  at  noontide. 

FIRST  COURTIER 

Aye,  it  bodes  no  good. 
(Enter  servant  in  terror?) 

SERVANT 

Between  the  river  and  the  mountain-side, 
Skimming  the  level  ocean  of  ripe  wheat, 

V 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          131 

I  saw  Queen  Dis :  above  her  chariot 

She  stands  a  statue,  while  four  plunging  steeds, 

All  ebon  black  and  tusked  with  ivory, 

Plow  toward  your  palace.    I,  upon  the  tower, 

Have  seen  and  shuddered :  therefore,  let  me  go. 

CLAUD  IAS.     (To  another  courtier.) 
The  man  is  sick  with  terror.     Give  him  drink. 
( The  servant  is  helped  out.) 

KING 

My  sister  the  enchantress!    Close  the  gate! 
(Enter  servant,  running.) 

SERVANT 

Idle,  my  lord;   the  porter  is  struck  dead! 
A  bolt  of  lightning,  that  same  forked  flash. 
(Another  flash.) 

The  gate  is  wedged :  no  power  on  earth  can 
budge  it. 

KING 

I  will  not  see  her.     She  is  horrible 
And  comes  in  horror.    Claudias,  your  hand. 
SERVANT.     (Without,  announcing.) 

Queen  Dis. 
(Enter  Queen  Dis.) 

KING 
Sister,  your  coming  is  unheralded. 

QUEEN  Dis 

Save  by  my  flashes,  brother.    Can  you  not 
Instruct  your  knaves  in  hospitality? 
Two  of  them  have  their  lesson.     These  my 

servants 

Must  in  the  amber  chamber  leave  this  casket, 
And  then  no  more  annoy  you. 


I3  2  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

(Enter  two  servants  with  a  very  precious,  pecu- 
liar-looking box,  which  they  carry  across  the 
stage  and  exeunt.) 

For  my  steeds, 

They  pant  the  fiery  path  towards  Erebus 
For  safer  stabling. 

KING 

You  will  stay  with  us  ? 
QUEEN  Dis 

An  hour,  two  hours,  a  week  —  the  Tournament. 
When  I  have  access  to  explain  my  plans, 
I  will  acquaint  you  — 

(Claudias  and  the  courtiers  take  the  hint  and 
go  of,  shrugging.) 

KING 

(Aside  to  Claudias,  shaking  his  hand.) 

Do  not  go  far. 
(To  Queen.)     Sister,  you  ride  in  the  storm. 

QUEEN  Dis 

Brother,  you  ride  in  the  storm  and  know  it  not. 
It  is  to  save  you  I  am  come  at  all. 
You  are  in  danger,  and  your  kingdom  rocks 
As  in  an  earthquake.    You  yourself  are  sick, 
Dizzy,  diseased,  defenceless,  a  sure  prey 
To  powers  too  subtle  for  your  intellect 
That  cut  your  life  at  the  root. 

KING 

Can  you  not  talk  in  the  daylight? 
QUEEN  Dis 

These  thick  winds 

And  darkened  sky  afflict  you  as  they  should. 
Terror;  'tis  terror!     I  am  terrified; 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          133 

I  Dis,  queen,  goddess,  deathless  as  I  am, 
Horror  doth  ride  me;    and  the  outward  storm 
Is  but  the  symbol.     One  is  in  the  field. 
A  knight  has  taken  up  the  children's  cause 
And  we  are  doomed. 

KING 

A  knight?    A  paltry  boy 

That  for  his  challenge  shall  receive  his  death. 
Give  it  no  thought,  my  sister. 
QUEEN  Dis 

O  thou  fool! 

That  fight'st  against  a  spirit  with  a  sword. 
Know  then,  these  children  live  by  others'  faith. 
Old  Leo's  thought  and  prayer  kept  them  alive. 
Now,  on  the  very  dot  of  Leo's  death, 
Arises  this  young  knight  who  lights  his  faith 
At  Leo's  dying  torch.     Now  they  rebloom 
And  leap  like  salmon,  strong  as  antelopes 
That  snuff  the  upland  breeze  in  Africa, 
Drawing  their  life  from  him. 

KING 
But  I  will  kill  this  knight. 

QUEEN  Dis 

Too  late,  too  late. 

The  seed's  upon  the  wind,  the  voice  has  echo'd, 
The  spark  has  spread;  the  people  catch  the  flame. 

KING 
But  if  he  die? 

QUEEN  Dis 

What  matter  if  he  die? 
Thou  foolish  one,  his  body  we  may  kill, 
But  not  his  life.     But  hark! 


134  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

(Going  very  near  to  the  King,  to  his  manifest 

horror,  and  speaking  vehemently.) 
We  must  destroy  his  soul;   so  dies  his  power. 
That  power  afflicts  thee  now,  and  stroke  on 

stroke 

Is  falling  on  my  head,  and  my  short  arm 
Pains  night  and  day  in  crucial  agony. 

(She  draws  aside  her  shawl  and  shows  that  in 
the  place  of  her  left  hand  and  arm  she  has  the 
claw  of  a  dragon.) 
The  fury  of  that  pain 
Shines  in  the  storm,  as  with  my  will  I  move 
Whirlwinded  through  the  air. 

KING 
Horrible  woman! 

QUEEN  Dis 

Horrid;   because  I  know 
What  you   would  be   without    the    knowledge 

of! 

Goddess,  enchantress,  devil;  for  I  am 
But  disenchanted  from  those  spells  of  life 
That  weave  enchantment  over  everyone, 
The  filmy  web  of  good-and-evil-mixed. 

(Showing  her  claw.) 

There  is  my  evil.     Yours  is  everywhere. 
You  will  obey  me? 

KING 

(After  long  pause  and  very  reluctantly.) 
Yes. 

QUEEN  Dis 
(Giving  a  sigh  of  relief.) 
Else  were  we  both  undone. 


WILFRED  THE  YOUNG          135 

Have  you  three  minutes,  ere  those  fops  come 

back, 
To  hear  my  project? 

KING 

(Who  is  sitting  down,  nods  in  a  disconsolate 
manner.) 

QUEEN  Dis 

How  shall  I  say  it?     Not  for  many  years, 
Not  since  the  old  King,  father  of  these  babes, 
Brought  me  to  court  here  as  their  governess,  — 
Not  since  Cleombrotus  — 
KING 

Don't  tell  it  me. 
It  is  too  horrible. 

(King  covers  his  face  with  his  hands;  she  pro- 
ceeds.) 

QUEEN  Dis 

I  am  in  love, 
I  am  in  love  with  Wilfred  Overseas, 

(The  King  shudders  convulsively.) 
And  he  with  me  — 

KING 
And  he  with  thee! 

QUEEN  Dis 

Not  yet; 

But  in  the  dawn  my  soul  did  visit  him. 
Hark,  I  was  crawling  with  a  panther's  step 
About  the  children's  cottage;    and  a  sword 
This  way  and  that  way  turned  to  keep  me  off, 
As  if  invisible  walls  of  light  were  there, 
Guarding  the  children,  and  my  eye  beheld 
Wilfred,  a  burnished  angel  at  his  elbow, 


136  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

That  could  not  fence  my  eye  from  piercing  his. 

(She  approaches  the  King,  speaking  rapidly.} 
Let  him  be  wounded  at  the  Tournament. 
A  drop  of  blood,  a  scratch  is  all  I  ask; 
And  to  his  veins  I'll  pour  the  venom  in 
Shall  make  him  love  me.    He  must  not  be  killed; 
Scratched,  or  disabled  merely.     Do  you  hear? 

KING.     (Nods) 
It  shall  be  as  you  say. 

QUEEN  Dis 
Call  back  your  courtiers,  brother. 

KING.     (Rings.) 

Bid  the  Lords  attend  her  Majesty. 
(Enter  Claudias  and  the  rest.) 
QUEEN  Dis 

How  soon  the  day 
Has  changed  to  sunlight!     Lords,  I  ask  your 

pardon 

For  my  unruly  entrance.     Women  ever 
Must  have  their  whims:  and  that  same  thunder- 
storm 
Gave  me  a  headache.     Claudias, 

(He  kneels.)  Nay,  your  hand  — 
And  now  for  pleasaunce  and  all  jollity. 


ACT  II 
SCENE  ii.  —  WILFRED'S  CABIN 

(Wilfred  and  the  children.  They  are  now  clean, 
handsome,  nicely  dressed.  Thekla  has  no 
crutch,  Dio  no  sign  of  mental  peculiarity.} 

WILFRED 

Now,  children,  you  must  not  be  afraid;  for  I 
must  leave  you  for  a  while  and  go  to  the  palace. 
I  have  challenged  this  dreadful  King  and  I  shall 
kill  him  —  and  then  —  then 

Dio 
The  Dragon  — 

WILFRED 

The  Dragon  of  course.  I  shall  then  have 
time  to  go  and  see  if  there  is  any  dragon  left. 
You  must  be  good  and  wait  for  me. 

THEKLA 
Oh  we'll  be  good  — 

WILFRED 

And  that  nice  woman  is  going  to  take  care  of 
you,  the  nun  woman  who  met  us  in  the  grave- 
yard. She  will  be  here,  and  keep  you  clean 
and  neat,  and  drive  away  all  enemies  and 
strangers.  (Enter  angel.}  Ah,  here  she  is. 
Theresa  is  your  name?  (Angel  nods.}  Theresa, 
do  you  understand  the  care  of  children,  wash- 
ing, soaping,  drying,  putting  to  bed,  feeding, 


138  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

brushing,  watching,  scolding,  following,  pun- 
ishing, pardoning,  tying  up,  untying,  airing, 
and  housing?  (Angel  nods.)  These  children 
are  good  children.  I  have  some  business  at  the 
King's  palace  and  shall  leave  them  with  you. 
Theresa,  Theresa,  I'm  not  sure  that  nuns 
understand  children.  Have  you  experience? 
(Angel  nods.)  Where?  But  were  they  your 
own  children?  That's  best.  These  are  my 
own.  Are  ye  not?  As  much  as  any  can  be. 
Now,  Theresa,  I  have  a  thought.  You  see 
this  horn?  It  is  a  Saracen  horn  brought  by  my 
father  from  Arabia. 

And  by  a  witch  'twas  tuned  to  mine  ears 
When  I  was  born.    (Sounds  the  horn.) 
How  small  a  sound  it  makes. 
And  yet  that  sound  is  native  to  my  soul: 
Distance  and  density  are  nothing  to  it. 
And  were  I  now  in  Rome  and  you  in  France, 
The  tiny  stream  of  sound  would  thread  the  Alps, 
And  pierce  my  eardrums  where  I  lay  asleep 
With  fifty  cannons  booming  over  me. 
Blow  if  some  danger  threats  these  flaxen  heads; 
But  not  for  slight  occasion. 

(Gives  horn  to  angel.)  Now,  young  squires, 
Help  arm  your  master. 

(They  get  the  armor,  and  the  children  help  put 

it  on.     He  talks  as  they  do  so.) 

I  have  killed  twelve  kings 
And  several  hundred  giants.     I  will  strike 
Straight  for  his  heart. 

(Enter  Simeon,  the  beggar.) 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          139 

SIMEON 

Hist,  Sir  Knight,  a  word! 
I  have  discovered  how  to  reach  the  dragon. 
A  broken  wall,  a  passage  underground, 
A  hole  they  have  forgotten  to  stop  up. 
Come,  and  I'll  lead  you  to  him. 
WILFRED 

Go  your  ways  — 

You  are  the  dragon's  servant  like  the  rest. 
I  go  to  fight  the  King.     When  I  come  back 
With  half  the  fame  of  Europe  in  my  arms  — 

(Knocking.} 
Enter!   who  is  there? 

(Enter  Herald.} 

HERALD 

The  King  doth  send  a  squire  to  hold  your  horse, 
And  begs  you'll  deign  to  use  the  royal  car 
Which  now  with  twenty  footmen  waits  for  you, 
To  take  you  to  the  palace. 
WILFRED 

Tell  the  King 

I'll  not  accept  his  hospitality. 
I  come  to  kill  him:  let  him  understand 
I  seek  his  palace  as  an  enemy. 
Let  him  defend  himself! 

(Herald  bows.       Wilfred  takes  his  helmet  and 
spear.       The  angel   is   standing  behind  the 
children  on  one  side  of  the  stage,  the  Herald 
on  the  other.     Wilfred  in  act  to  depart.} 
(Curtain.} 


ACT  II 

SCENE    III.      THE    PALACE 

(The  King,  Queen  Dis  in  magnificent  array, 
her  golden  hair  in  braids,  a  wreath  of  roses 
and  a  wedding  veil.  Claudias,  courtiers,  and 
ladies.) 

KING 

Are  all  the  knights  assembled? 
CLAUDIAS 

At  the  lists 

They  wait  your  Majesty.     The  gala  day 
Flaunts  to  the  skies  its  forest  of  sharp  spears 
Which  many  colored  banners  interleave. 
Almost  the  people  break  the  barriers  down, 
So  keen  their  passion  to  enjoy  the  sport. 

KING 
Will  not  the  new  knight,  think  you,  show  his 

face 

Unvisored  to  the  people  and  to  us, 
Ere  on  the  bloody  field  he  launch  himself? 

CLAUDIAS 

A  churlish  temper,  matched  with  gentlest  looks, 
Makes  him  a  puzzle.     If  your  Majesties 
Can  solve  the  riddle  — 

QUEEN  Dis 

Nay,  he  comes  I  hope. 
Else  is  our  visit  barrened  of  its  wonder. 

140 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          141 

SERVANT.     (Without.) 
Wilfred  of  Overseas. 

(Enter    Wilfred.     Stately   bows   on   all  sides, 
which  Wilfred  returns.) 

WILFRED.      (To  King.) 
Although  I  cannot  greet  thee  as  a  friend, 
King  Draco,  —  for  I  feel  a  hostile  edge, 
And  come  to  meet  it  with  approved  steel,  — 
Yet  doth  this  courtesy  unman  my  hate. 
Kill  thee  I  will;  but  thank  thee  first  of  all 
For  a  most  noble  lesson  in  good  manners. 

KING 

Nay,  we  ourselves  from  thee  a  lesson  take 
Of  what's  behind  all  manners,  noble  youth. 
It  makes  me  proud  that  you  enrich  our  court 
With  such  example  of  old  chivalry 
As  keeps  the  spirit  high  above  the  helm 
And  melts  not  at  soft  words.     Let  sound  the 

trumpet! 

Wilfred  of  Overseas  doth  challenge  us! 
(Trumpet.) 

KING 
Sound  the  acceptance! 

(Trumpet  again.) 

CLAUDIAS 

Your  Majesties,  and  Wilfred  of  the  Seas, 
It  must  be  known  to  you  that  kings  enthroned 
Cannot  by  foreign  knights  affronted  be, 
Except  where  intervening  champions  fail. 
The  knight  must  fight  your  Highness'  cham- 
pion 
To  gain  his  right  to  you. 


142  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

WILFRED 

I'll  fight  them  all: 

One  with  another  let  the  knights  be  sent. 
So  I  have  pause  to  rest,  I'll  meet  them  all. 
But  be  it  understood,  that  as  the  tenth 
I  meet  your  Highness. 

(A  murmur  of  approval.} 

QUEEN 
Your  pardon,  gentle  youth.      Wilt  please  you 

take 

A  favor  from  a  friend?  a  stranger  here, 
Yet  one  whose  heart  is  moved  by  your  words, 
And  by  your  youth,  and  for  you  are  alone. 
(Offers  him  a  favor.} 

KING 

My  cousin,  Euphronide,  and  a  princess 
Who  doth  continue  great  Antenor's  line. 

(Wilfred  pauses,  kneels ',  and  finally  takes  it 
with  humility.} 

KING 
Now  to  the  lists ! 

(Music.  All  go  out  in  majestic  procession. 
The  stage  is  empty  for  a  moment  and  then 
re-enter,  in  great  agitation,  the  Queen,  who 
sits  down,  puts  her  elbows  on  her  knees,  and 
runs  her  fingers  through  her  hair.} 

QUEEN 

How  they  wait,  —  how  they  wait,  — 
No  sound  forever  —  it  must  be  some  false  start! 
No  sound  — 

(Sound  of  a  bugle.} 

They  rush!    They  meet! 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG  143 

(Faint  sound  of  a  cheer.} 
Which  way?  which  way?  — 
(Starts  up.) 

But  I  must  wait  — 
If  they  can  but  wound  him  —  wound  him,  not 

kill  — 

(Enter  a  servant,  running.     The  Queen  rises 
and  accosts  him  roughly.} 

QUEEN 
Which  is  it? 

SERVANT 

(Amazed  at  finding  her  there.} 
A  surgeon!   a  surgeon! 

Huon  de  Paganis  has  his  death.     He  cannot 
move! 

(Exit  servant} 

QUEEN 

Thank  God!  Not  killed,  at  least! 
Can  ye  not  wound  him?     A  whole  pack  of 

wolves 

Not  wound  a  sheep  dog! 
Ah,  this  waiting  — 

(Bugle  sounds  faintly,  again  faint  shout} 

SERVANT.     (Returning} 
It  is  no  use. 

He'll  die  before  the  surgeon  can  be  got! 
QUEEN.     (Roughly  to  servant} 
Fetch  me  the  news !     The  sight  of  blood  destroys 
me. 

(Follows  him  across  the  stage} 
Fetch  me  the  news ! 


144  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

(Exit  servant.  The  trumpet  is  now  sounding 
almost  continually  and  the  shouting  accom- 
panies it  in  bursts.  Re-enter  servant. 
Queen  almost  throttles  him.} 

QUEEN 
Well  — ? 

SERVANT 

He  does  destroy  them  all  as  fast  as  dolls,  — 
Rupert  and  Hilbrand,  Censor,  Callias, 
The  giant-limbed  Orestes,  all  are  slain. 
And  Wilfred  not  yet  breathed  — 
VOICE.     (Outside,) 
Hark,  a  cry! 

(Great  shout.) 

Wilfred  is  down!     He's  wounded! 
QUEEN.     ( To  servant.) 
Let  them  fetch  him  here,  — 
I  am  a  leech.     But  keep  all  surgeons  out! 
Let  the  King  know  I  cure  him. 
(Aside.)     If  he  be  killed! 
(To  servant.)     Is  he  dead?     Oh  is  he  dead? 
(She  breaks  away  as  four  enter  bearing  Wilfred 
unconscious.     The  favor  is  on  his  shoulder. 
They  set  him  down.) 

QUEEN 

(Exeunt  servants) 
So,  leave  him  — 

Not  dead,  and  hardly  wounded,  —  only  weak  — 
Stunned  and  exhausted. 

(She  sits  down  by  him.) 
(Very  softly.)    Wilfred  — 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          145 

(Long  pause,  and  again) 
Wilfred  — 

(Soft  music.) 

Wilfred,  I'll  whisper  here; 
Ah,  may  I  not  come  near? 
I'll  not  disturb  thy  slumbers,  Wilfred  dear. 

Wilfred  of  Overseas,  a  girl  does  wait 
Where  summer  roses  peep  o'er  garden  gate, 

She  that,  when  thou  wast  young, 
Thy  boyish  head  with  heavy  garlands  hung, 
And  paused  to  watch  thee,  where,  wild  fields 
among, 

Thou'd'st  meditate. 

Wilfred,  ah  Wilfred,  look, 

Where  leans  the  willow  o'er  the  talking  brook; 

See  if  one  stands  within  yon  shady  nook, 

Who  knows  thy  name; 

Follows  and  fosters,  loves  and  dotes  upon  thee; 
Turn,  gentle  youth,  a  goddess'  eyes  are  on  thee. 
Turn,  ere  some  mortal  maiden  have  undone  thee 

To  lasting  shame. 

Love  me,  my  Wilfred,  I  am  only  thine, 
That  know  thy  heart  and  with  it  intertwine 
The  rich-encumbered  clustering  grapes  from 

mine.     My  Wilfred  dear, 
Love  me,  and  we  together  will  unwind 
The  spool  of  life,  till  at  its  end  we  find 
The  thoughts  that  caged  us  here: 
The  thoughts  that  caged  us  and  the  ties  that  bind 
Are  always  near. 


146  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Love  is  the  quest  that  o'er  thy  deep  endeavor 
Followed  and  floated  upward  and  forever  — 

Love  was  thy  quest. 
The  fortress  with  its  banner  in  the  sky, 
Fame,  Honor,  Fortune,  Duty,  Destiny  — 
The  Great  Adventure,  —  pile  it  ne'er  so  high,- 

Love,  love  is  best. 

'Tis  but  the  saying  of  what  all  do  know, 
To  say  you  love  me,  Love  saith  always  so; 

All  else  is  lies. 

And  he  is  damned  for  telling  of  untruth, 
Who  in  the  earnest  lustihood  of  youth 

His  love  denies. 

I  am  thy  princess, 

Thou  art  my  delight, 
My  noble  hero  and  my  goodly  knight. 
Open  thine  eyes,  she  bends  above  thee  — 

My  dear,  my  only  friend. 
This  is  my  life's  beginning  and  its  end  — 

Wilfred,  I  love  thee. 
(Wilfred  moves,  she  recedes  a  step  gently.) 

QUEEN 
What  is  it? 

WILFRED.     (Sitting  up.) 
Where  am  I?     Such  a  rush  of  foaming  water 
And  such  a  sound  of  bees.     A  spinning-wheel 
Runs  in  my  head  and  turns  a  lullaby, 
Tunably  sweet.     (Sees  her.)     The  lady  of  the 

loom, 
Circe,  for  fair  as  Circe  you  do  seem, 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          147 

And  your  long  locks  of  braided,  flaxen  hair 
Yellow  as  autumn,  thick  as  standing  wheat, 
And  framing  all  the  treasures  of  the  earth,  — 
Pomona  surely! 

QUEEN 

Nay,  a  princess  only. 
WILFRED 

Where  have  I  known  thee? 
QUEEN 

All  these  many  years. 
In  your  heart's  chancel,  Wilfred,  where  those 

hymns 

Rise  from  the  pavement  towards  the  roofing 
stars. 

WILFRED 

Have  I  destroyed  the  dragon? 
QUEEN 

Ay,  you  have. 

People  and  King  proclaim  you.     Now,  they  wait 
Till,  with  the  restoration  of  your  health, 
Mine  and  thy  nuptials  shall  proclaimed  be. 

WILFRED 

Why,  I  am  well.     Go  spread  the  news  abroad. 
Let  them  come  in,  the  nobles,  rabble,  all. 
I  will  announce  it:  call  the  Pontifex. 

QUEEN 

All  is  prepared,  Sir  Knight.    The  King's  at  hand, 
And  all  the  priestly  officers. 

(Enter  procession,  headed  by  the  Pontifex,  as  to 
a  wedding.  The  Pontifex  takes  his  stand 
before  the  couple.  King  and  courtiers  follow 
and  range  themselves.} 


148  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

PONTIFEX 

Euphronide,  daughter  of  Antenor's  line  — 

QUEEN 
Here. 

PONTIFEX 
Wilfred  of  Overseas,  the  Dragon  Slayer  — 

WILFRED 
Here. 

PONTIFEX 

Is  it  your  firm  intention  to  be  wed? 
Kneel  and  declare. 

(The  Pontifex  is  holding  up  his  cross.     The 
Queen  kneels.} 

KING 
Kneel,  kneel,  Sir  Knight. 

PONTIFEX 
Kneel  and  proceed,  my  son. 

WILFRED 
What  is  that   cross?      Why  kneel   ye?      Who 

does  kneel? 

There  is  some  implication  in  the  act 
That  waves  me  off. 

(Sound  of  the  magic  trumpet.     He  stares  about.} 

What's  that? 

CLAUD  IAS 

Sure,  he  is  mad. 
This  recent  loss  of  blood  has  made  him  mad. 

KING 
Proceed  without  the  kneeling. 

PONTIFEX 
Is  it  your  firm  intention  to  be  wed  ? 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          149 

WILFRED 

(Gazing   abstractedly   about.     Sound   of  the 

trumpet.) 

Where  are  the  children? 
Where  are  my  children? 
What  was  done  with  them? 
Give  me  my  children,  traitors,  murderers,  — 
You've  mewed  them  up!     Ye've  killed  them! 

Give  them  back! 
(He  turns  from  one  to  another,  storming,  and 

they  give  way  before  him.) 
Where  are  the  children  that  ye  robbed  me  of? 

KING 

Madness  is  on  him.     Ye  had  best  beware, — 
The  eye  he  rolls  sees  nothing  but  in  thought. 

A  COURTIER 
He  hath  the  strength  of  madness  in  his  arm. 

WILFRED 

What  is  this  painted  pack  of  picture  cards 
That  wheels  about  me?     Silent  and  intent, 
Ye  stand  a-staring.     This  was  once  a  King, 
Whose  color,  like  his  crown,  doth  come  and  go. 
This,  an  old  image  of  a  Pontifex, 
Carried  in  slow  procession  at  some  feast. 
A  Courtier  next,  a  perfumed  mountebank. 

(To  Queen  Dis.) 
A  skeleton  that  wears  a  rosy  wreath. 

(He  extends  his  arm  and  with  great  deliberation 
removes  the  wreath.  The  veil  and  flaxen 
hair  come  with  it.  He  drops  them,  and  as  he 
does  so  Queen  Dis  falls  at  full  length.  Her 
dragon  arm  is  exposed.) 


ISO  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Still  in  a  dream  ye  stand  and  question  me. 
How  came  I  to  this  madhouse?     Empty  shells 
Without  a  heart  amongst  ye!     Let  me  go! 
My  children  clutch  me,  I  must  go  to  find  them. 
(He  stumbles,  totters,  and  clanks  to  the  door, 
nobody  daring  to  stop  him,  and  so  exit.} 

CLAUD  IAS 

The  fight  hath  dazed  him.     Quick  attend  the 
Queen ! 

(Curtain) 


ACT  III 

SCENE  i. — WILFRED'S  CABIN 

(Night.  A  low  table,  on  which  are  a  plate  of 
bread,  jug  of  milk,  etc.  Also  the  magic  horn. 
A  single  lighted  candle.  Thekla  has  fallen 
asleep  in  her  chair  over  a  picture  book.  Dio 
is  asleep  on  a  pallet  by  her  side.  Enter 
Wilfred,  battle-worn.  He  sets  down  his 
helmet,  shield,  and  sword.  As  he  comes  in 
he  looks  toward  the  children.} 

WILFRED 

They  at  least  are  safe;   my  brain  is  ebbed 
And  does  not  float  the  mind : 
It  rubs  and  touches  bottom.     I  have  had 
Shocks  that  unsettle  reason,  and  I  miss 
That  certainty  towards  truth  that  once  I  knew. 
All  is  miasma  and  a  slippery  ground: 
I  climb  an  icy  mountain  and  slide  back. 
Am  I  one  inch  the  nearer  to  my  goal? 
And  yet  the  back  and  mainspring  of  my  life 
Is  broken.     Such  another  day 
And  Wilfred  passes. 

(Looks  toward  the  children.} 

They  at  least  are  safe. 
(With  sudden  emotion.} 

O  for  the  peace  that  shines  about  their  heads! 
Why  not  for  me?    Why  not  such  peace  for  me? 


152  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Who  see  it  even  in  a  famished  glance, 

As  in  the  desert  dying  travelers 

See  water  in  their  dreams.    O  children  dear, 

Ye  are  sent  to  tempt  me;  for  I  must  go  forth 

To  find  the  dragon.    Where?    I  do  not  know. 

It  troubles  me  I  am  no  longer  fit, 

My  limbs  are  twisted,  and  my  heart  is  hurt. 

But  this  is  nothing;   I,  at  least,  can  die. 

And  in  the  cataract  of  human  woe, 

What  is  one  life?    The  offer  is  the  need. 

If  this  be  it,  I  make  it  willingly. 

(He  looks  up  and  perceives  the  Angel,  who  has 
entered  and  is  standing  over  the  children. 
To  the  Angel,  but  in  a  dazed  manner.} 
Art  thou  Theresa,  or  an  angel  bright? 

ANGEL 
Both,  Wilfred. 

WILFRED 
How  came  ye  hither? 

ANGEL 

I  am  always  here, 
Sometimes  unseen  and  sometimes  visible. 

WILFRED 
Yet  always  here.     Who  art  thou,  Angel  bright? 

ANGEL 
I  am  the  radiance  and  the  fringe  of  truth. 

WILFRED 
Give  me,  good  Angel,  power  to  see  thee  oft. 

ANGEL 
The  power  to  see  me  is  a  part  of  me. 

WILFRED 
Angel,  I  am  of  late  grown  strangely  weak. 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          153 

ANGEL 
Nay,  you  are  stronger,  Wilfred,  than  before. 

WILFRED 
All  of  my  quest  was  just  a  kind  of  dream. 

ANGEL 

Wilfred,  such  dreams  as  yours  are  only  seen 
When   some   new  age   is   born.      They  rise  in 

you 

Out  of  the  flooded  sorrows  of  the  world, 
Showing  a  track  of  light  from  heart  to  heart, 
A  beaten  golden  path.    This  kind  of  dream 
Begins  to  glow  across  King  Draco's  land, 
And,  passing  through  thee,  humbles  all  thy 

heart, 
Which  thou  thinkst  weakness.    All  thy  quest 

was  here, 

And  thou  art  nothing  but  a  prophecy, 
The  substance  of  new  light. 
WILFRED 

And  shall  the  dragon 
Die  by  that  light? 

ANGEL 

He  doth.     Thy  sword  shall  break. 
But  in  thy  hand  a  sword  of  heavenly  make, 
Tipped  with  seraphic  fire,  shall  turn  itself 
Against  the  monster.     Rest,  good  Wilfred,  rest. 
(As  she  says  this  she  makes  a  pass  with  a  spear. 
He  closes  his  eyes  and  the  Angel  exit.) 

WILFRED.     (Waking.) 
I  thought  an  angel  offered  me  a  spear, 
Saying    the    time    had    come.      I    must    have 
slept. 


154  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Surely  some  heaven-appointed  minister 
Has  late  been  with  me,  or  do  these  infuse 
The  sudden  restoration  in  my  soul? 
(Approaches  the  children.} 
THEKLA.     (Waking  and  seeing  him.) 
Wilfred! 

(She  runs  to  him.) 

WILFRED 
Hush,  do  not  wake  him. 

THEKLA 

Where  have  you  been,  dear  Wilfred  ? 
WILFRED 

In  the  world, 
Fighting  and  thinking,  — 

THEKLA 

Oh  we  thought  of  you. 
Theresa  teaches  us  to  pray  for  you. 
And  once  she  blew  the  bugle. 
WILFRED 

When  was  that? 
THEKLA 

She  told  us  you  would  come.     O  Dio,  Dio, 
Wilfred  is  come!    This  is  no  time  to  sleep. 
(She  wakes  up  Dio,  and  the  children  sit  on 
Wilfred's  knees.) 

Dio 
We  are  your  thralls. 

THEKLA.     (To  Wilfred.) 
That's  what  Theresa  says. 

WILFRED 
Where  is  Theresa  ? 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          155 

THEKLA 

Here,  why  here,  she  was. 
She  told  us  you  were  coming,  and  just  then 
I  fell  asleep.     But,  Wilfred,  were  you  ill? 

WILFRED 

Whatever  be  her  goings  and  her  comings, 
She  keeps  my  children  well. 
THEKLA 

She  has  a  spear 

As  bright  as  starlight,  and  she  holds  it  up. 
That's  all  she  does.      But,  Wilfred,  supper's 

ready. 

Theresa  brought  us  food  and  bade  us  wait 
Till  you  should  come.    Wilfred,  you  must  sit  here. 
( They  sit  and  eat.) 

WILFRED 
This  is  a  glorious  feast. 

Dio 

We  are  your  thralls. 
(A  knock  at  the  door.) 

WILFRED 
Who's  there?     Come  in! 

(Enter  old  Simeon.) 

SIMEON 
Sir  Knight,  Sir  Knight! 

WILFRED 

Old  Simeon,  come  in. 

(To  children.)     This  is  a  happy  party,  isn't  it? 
Wilfred's  home-coming,  Wilfred's  sweet  return 
To  his  small  nest  and  tuneful,  — 
THEKLA 

Tuneful  what? 


156  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

WILFRED 

Humming-birds ! 

(The  children   laugh.     Wilfred  points  to   the 

children's  feast.) 
Pray  you,  partake  with  us. 

(Makes  a  place  for  Simeon.) 

SIMEON 

Sir  Knight,  there  is  no  time  for  humming-birds. 
The  Dragon's  on  the  watch.     His  day  draws 

near. 

Again  the  lots  are  shaken  in  the  urn. 
King  Draco  calls  for  more. 

WILFRED 

(In  the  act  of  drinking,  puts  down  the  cup.) 
Of  course,  old  Simeon, 
The  fighting  must  go  on,  and  we  must  do  it. 

SIMEON 

Hist!    Ye  will  not  trust  me:   I  can  tell  you 
A  way  to  reach  the  Dragon.     But  you're  sick  — 

WILFRED 
No.     Not  a  bit.     Go  on. 

SIMEON 

A  broken  wall,  — 

I've  tried  the  place  a  thousand  times  alone,  — 
And  I'll  go  with  ye,  underneath  the  ground 
And  up  again;   and  while  ye  tackle  him 
I'll  summon  all  the  burghers  to  the  wall 
To  pull  it  down. 

WILFRED 

Your  burghers  will  not  come; 
But,  Simeon,  I  will.    These  lambs  are  safe, 
Nothing  shall  harm  them.    I  am  sure  of  that. 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          157 

And  out  of  all  my  comforts  this  is  most  — 
That  they  are  safe. 

(To  the  children.}    Bid  me  goodbye, 
As  gladly  as  I  bid  ye  wait  for  me. 

THEKLA  AND  Dio.     (With  enthusiasm.') 

Goodbye! 
Goodbye,  dear  Wilfred !  goodbye,  goodbye,  etc. 

SIMEON 

We  must  be  gone,  Sir  Knight.    The  night  wears 
on. 

WILFRED 

Coming,  old  Simeon?    Thekla,  you  must  pray. 

Kneel  thus  awhile,  say  nothing,  only  think. 

For  while  we  think  at  home  our  thoughts  go 
forth 

And  help  the  fighters. 

(As  he  says  these  last  lines  he  causes  both  chil- 
dren to  kneel  close  together  at  the  front  of 
the  stage  quite  near  to  one  side.  Their  hands 
are  clasped  before  them.  They  are  to  remain 
thus  throughout  the  following  scene.  Wilfred 
and  the  beggar  now  go  out.  Total  darkness, 
except  that  a  shimmer  of  light  shows  the  kneel- 
ing figures  of  the  children.  The  scene  now 
changes  to  the  outside  of  the  Dragon's  cave.) 

SIMEON. 

(Without,  and  in  the  darkness,  hoarsely.) 
Stoop  low,  Sir  Knight,  the  bricks  come  tum- 
bling down: 

The  least  disturbance  sends  them.     Mind  the 
bones 


158  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

And  skull  things  that  will  trip  ye.    Now  we're 

free. 

From  this  on  is  an  even  straggly  path 
(Enter  Simeon  and  Wilfred.} 
Straight  to  the  cavern.    Enter  not,  Sir  Knight, 
But  call  him  out.     Your  sword  is  durable, 
And  cuts  through  steel.     I  saw  the  Tournament. 
Ye'll  not  be  long  to  kill  him!     Fare  ye  well. 
I'll  run  and  warn  the  people.     Fare  ye  well. 

WILFRED 

Fare  well,  old  Simeon. 

This  is  the  only  man  who  speaks  the  truth; 
The  rest  are  murderers. 

(The   light   has   slowly  increased.     He  looks 

about.) 

Ye  rocky  walls, 

That  sepulcher  so  many  hundred  dead, 
How  have  I  dreamed  of  ye!    This  sullen  hour 
Before  the  tingling  sun  hath  touched  the  crag 
Might  chill  the  heart  of  manhood.    Ah,  the 

boys, 

Joyous,  rash  boys,  who  from  this  echoing  cave 
Sent  forth  such  martial  music  to  the  world! 
Comrades,  I  claim  you:   brothers,  I  am  here. 
Ye    could    not   wait    for    me,    but    sent   your 

voice, 

And  I  am  come  to  carry  on  your  war. 
Dragon,  come  forth! 

Another  knight  doth  call:  come  forth,  I  say! 
Sleepest  thou,  Dragon?     Forth!   Come  forth, 

I  say! 
Wilfred  of  Overseas  is  at  the  cave! 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          159 

(A  clanking  is  heard,  and  enter  the  Dragon.} 

WILFRED 
Die,  Monster! 

(He  assails  the  Dragon.  The  fighting  must  be 
symbolical  on  both  sides,  a  blow  and  a  ward, 
the  changing  of  positions,  a  stroke  and  return 
stroke,  heavy  breathing,  silence,  and  many 
desperate  throes.  At  last  Wilfred  misses  his 
stroke,  which  is  so  violent  that  he  falls  on 
both  knees.  The  Dragon  places  a  paw  on 
the  top  of  Wilfred's  shield.  They  move 
across  the  stage  and  back  in  struggle.  Wil- 
fred cannot  free  the  shield.  By  a  gigantic 
effort  Wilfred  gets  into  a  position  of  slight 
advantage  and  deals  a  terrific  downward  blow 
on  the  Dragon's  helm.  The  sword  breaks. 
Wilfred  falls  backward  and  is  caught  upon 
a  low  rock.  The  Dragon,  still  gripping  the 
top  of  the  shield,  places  a  paw  upon  the  pros- 
trate and  helpless  Wilfred  and  peers  down 
over  the  shield  into  his  face.) 

WILFRED 
I  hate  thee  still ! 

DRAGON 
Wilfred,  forgive  me! 

WILFRED 

Had  I  the  power  to  smite,  I  would  destroy  thee. 
I  can  but  will  thy  death. 

(He  reaches  backward  by  a  gesture  as  if  to  avoid 
the  Dragon  and  a  spear  is  put  into  his  hand  by 
the  Angel,  who  enters  only  in  time  to  do  this. 
Wilfred  takes  the  spear  and  very  deliberately 


160  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

touches  the  crest  of  the  Dragon  with  it.  The 
Dragon  slowly  rears,  as  if  in  mortal  agony, 
claws  the  air,  totters  and  falls  at  full  length 
with  a  prolonged  groan.  The  dragon's  hel- 
met comes  off  and  rolls  on  the  ground,  while 
the  long  black  hair  and  blue  asphodels  of  the 
goddess  stream  out  upon  the  stage.  After 
one  or  two  heaves  of  death,  the  Dragon  col- 
lapses and  is  still.} 

WILFRED.     (Full  of  awe.) 

Not  I  have  done  this,  but  some  power  behind. 

What  is  this  spear  that  turns  within  my  hand, 

And  once  again  points  cave-wards?     Are  ye 
there, 

Spirits  of  evil  ?    Once  again,  come  forth ! 

Ye  are  reduplicated  into  beasts, 

That  roam  and  kill  and  feed  upon  mankind, 

And  some  new  monster  comes. 

(Enter  from  the  cave  King  Draco.) 

Thou  thought's!  to  save  thyself  by  shielding 
her. 

King  Draco!    It  is  well  thou  comest  now; 

For  I  could  find  and  kill  thee,  wert  thou  hid 

Under  the  ocean,  or  beyond  the  moon. 

Perish,  base  King! 

(Touches  Draco  with  the  spear  and  the  King 
slowly  sinks  without  a  word  and  dies  beside 
the  Dragon.) 

There  lie  ye  both.    Alas!  ye  are  not  dead, 

But  fled  to  new  disguises . 

(He  now  turns  and  sees  the  Angel  standing  in 
the  back  center  on  a  slight  eminence,  and 


WILFRED   THE   YOUNG          161 

shielding  the  two  children,  who  have  taken 
their  places  by  the  Angel  during  Wilfred's 
speech  to  Draco.  The  people  have  flocked 
in  during  the  same  period.  They  are  led  by 
old  Simeon  and  are  dressed  in  medieval 
holiday  costume.  Wilfred  is  lost  in  wonder 
for  a  moment,  giving  the  populace  a  chance 
to  fall  into  the  tableau.} 

WILFRED 

Angel,  thy  spear  hath  killed  thine  enemies, 
And  saved  the  children  of  a  rightful  King. 

(To  the  people.} 

Kneel  to  true  princes,  burghers;  ye  had  all  — 
Forget  it  not  —  consented  to  the  sin. 
Nor  were  ye  less  confederate  than  these  — 

(Pointing  to  the  dead.} 

Who  with  their  deaths  have  paid  their  infamy. 
All  were  participant;   and  if  the  spear 
Which  touches  some  to  life  and  some  to  death 
Have  touched  the  nation,  may  its  inward  fire, 
Which  saveth  now  these  children,  save  us  too. 
We  are  responsible:   by  us  they  died, 
And  in  our  life  they  live. 

(To  Angel.}     Take  back  thy  spear, 
But  hold  it  over  us. 

(Angel  receives  the  spear.} 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE 
A   SACRED  CANTATA  FOR  CHILDREN 


CHRISTMAS  ONCE  MORE 

PART  I;  OR  PRELUDE.      The  childhood  of  a  Saint:  a  drama  in  one 

act  without  music 
PART  II,  CANTATA.     The  Vision  of  Mary;  a  Morality  with  music 

and  singing 
SCENE.     Cologne  on  the  Rhine  in  about  the  year  400  A.D. 

CHARACTERS  OF  THE  PRELUDE 

FATHER  ANTONIUS,  a  holy  man 
FULVIA,  his  ward,  aged  ten 
ELSA,  a  friend  to  Fulvia,  aged  about  ten 
SIGURD,  father  to  Elsa,  a  German  farrier 
Both  Elsa  and  her  father  are  pagans 

CHARACTERS  OF  THE  CANTATA 

AN  ANGEL 

THE  THREE  SHEPHERDS 
THE  THREE  KINGS 
UNSEEN  CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
THE  CONGREGATION 

SCENE  OF  THE  CANTATA 
THE  STABLE  AT  BETHLEHEM 


CHRISTMAS    ONCE    MORE 
PART  I 

THE    CELL    OF   ANTONIUS 
FULVIA 

Father  Antonius,  with  Christmas  near 

We  need  to  save  our  scraps.    The  poor  are  fed 

All  the  year  round  on  bits  of  Christmas  cheer. 

ANTONIUS 

Where  do  you  learn  such  wisdom,  Fulvia? 
For  in  my  rustic  study  you  have  sat  — 
Nor  ever  known  an  abler  schoolmaster  — 
Since  your  first  father  died.     Yet  every  day 
Shows  gleams  of  scattered  light  and  sparks  of 

fire 
That  came  not  from  my  lamp. 

FULVIA 

'Tis  from  the  Fathers.    When  you  are  not  here 

I  read  these  volumes.     (Pointing  to  folios.) 

ANTONIUS.     (Aside.) 

O  power  of  Heavenly  Grace 
That  shines  direct  upon  this  little  maid! 

FULVIA 

Tell  me  what  Christmas  music  we  shall  have. 
Is  it  a  play,  or  acted  parable? 

165 


166  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

ANTONIUS 

It  is  a  history  of  Jesus'  life, 
Told  in  a  set  of  pictures  and  of  tunes 
Such  as  rude  piety  can  understand. 

FULVIA 
Oh,  may  I  see  it? 

ANTONIUS 
Nay,  I  cannot  say; 
'Tis  not  for  children. 

FULVIA 

But  I  have  a  friend, 
A  pagan,  unbaptized,  impenitent, 
And  cold  to  Christ,  a  child  for  whom  he  died, 
Who  may,  through  such  a  play,  be  brought  to 

him. 

Father  Antonius,  'tis  not  for  me ! 
I  need  no  plays  nor  music;   I  have  you. 
But  Elsa,  who  in  seeing  might  be  saved, 
Elsa,  my  friend,  —  if  you  could  find  a  place, 
A  nook  to  hide  her  at  the  sacred  play, 
From  it  she   might  draw   Christ.       Keep   me 

away, 
But  find  a  place  for  her. 

ANTONIUS 

For  both,  for  both! 

Though  I  be  scolded  for't,  I'll  hide  you  both. 
Was  it  not  Christ  who  said,  Forbid  them  not? 
But  we  are  ever  bettering  Christ's  words 
With  meanings  which  refute  them. 
FULVIA 

Is  not  Christ 
Among  the  heathen,  he  being  everywhere? 


CHRISTMAS  ONCE   MORE        167 

ANTONIUS 

Deep  are  thy  reasonings,  thou  saintly  child: 
For  children's  angels  are  so  near  to  God 
That  they  themselves  exact  him  everywhere. 
They  drain  theology  without  a  qualm, 
Drink  reason  to  the  dregs  and  ask  for  more, 
Splitting  the  darkest  mysteries  of  faith 
With  easy  question.     Fulvia,  my  child, 
Thou  reasonest  well.     If  Christ  be  everywhere, 
He  lives  as  certain  in  the  heathen  breast 
As  in  the  elect.     The  Church  but  draws  him    • 

out, 

Finds  and  proclaims  him  —  first  by  baptism, 
A  rite  through  Christ's  example  sanctified  — 

FULVIA 
Who  is  the  Church? 

ANTONIUS 

Too  fast,  my  Fulvia! 
Can  I  not  answer  one  thing  at  a  time? 
But  I  must  sweat  and  wheeze  to  satisfy 
Your  over-nimble  wit?     My  Fulvia, 
Have  I  not  sworn  to  teach  you  all  I  know, 
And  did  I  not  on  your  first  father's  death 
Adopt  you  as  my  heir?     My  holiest  vow 
Makes  all  my  wisdom  thine.      But  give  me 

breath 
At  least  for  prayer,  which  draws  the  meaning 

down 

On  all  our  questions.     Fulvia,  my  child, 
Leave  me  a  while:  I  promise  to  declare 
All  that  I  understand,  another  time. 


i68  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

FULVIA 

Nay,  Father  Antony:   an  easy  thing 

I  wish  to  know,  and  you  must  tell  me  now. 

ANTONIUS.     (Aside.) 
Alas!     My  home-drawn  wisdom  is  inapt 
To  feed  an  infant  saint:  and  but  that  God 
Compels  me  by  my  vow  to  be  her  nurse,  — 
Having  revealed  by  many  potent  signs 
That  in  this  child  he  hides  a  minister 
And  flaming  witness  to  his  holy  Church,  — 
I  should  remand  her  to  her  peasant  home, 
Relieved  to  lose  her. 

(To  Fulvia.)    Fulvia,  my  pet, 
I  will  content  you.     But  be  patient  with  me. 
I  am  not,  as  you  think,  a  learned  man, 
And  many  points  are  doubtful  at  the  best, 
And  deeper  theologians  than  myself 
Have   stumbled   in   them.     Only   my  poor 

thoughts 

Are  good  enough  for  me  to  wall  my  cell 
With  pictures  of  God's  heaven  and  thoughts  of 

him. 

FULVIA 
You  are  my  dearest  father,  friend  and  angel. 

ANTONIUS 

Remember,  I  but  tell  you  what  I  think; 
You  must  seek  further. 

FULVIA 

Good. 
ANTONIUS.     (With  apprehension.) 

But  wait  a  bit! 
It's  not  the  mystery  of  the  Trinity? 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE  MORE        169 

FULVIA 

No. 

ANTONIUS 
Nor  the  necessity  for  Adam's  fall  ? 

FULVIA 
No,  Father  Antony. 

ANTONIUS 
The  meaning  of  "proceedeth"  in  the  creed? 

FULVIA 

No,  nothing  of  the  sort.     I  wish  to  know 
If  one  who  is  not  priest  or  holy  man, 
Or  monk,  or  something  sacred  in  the  church, 
May  yet  baptize  an  infant.    For,  you  say, 
If  baptism,  which  is  a  sacrament, 
May  not  in  cases  of  extremity  — 
In  cases  of  extremity  —  you  said  — 

ANTONIUS 

Correct.    In  cases  of  extremity  — 
Ah,  I  remember.    Yes  of  course  he  may. 
Any  good  Christian  may  baptize  a  child. 
And  in  the  early  days  the  same  applied 
To  those,  being  penitent,  of  riper  years. 
For  as  the  Church  in  all  her  members  lives, 
So  each  of  us,  for  several  purposes, 
Is  the  whole  Church. 

FULVIA 

Thanks,  dear  and  good  papa. 
That's  all  I  want  to  know. 

(Kisses  him  and  exit  into  the  house.) 

ANTONIUS 

'Tis  strange,  the  young 


170  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

Must  ever  break  their  teeth  against  abstrac- 
tions ; 
While  we,  whose  teeth  are  gone,  live  but  by 

faith. 

This  youngster  has  the  theory  of  the  Church 
As  pat  as  Paul. 

(Knocking  without.) 
What's  that?     Whoe'er  ye  be, 
There's  nothing  here  to  warrant  violence. 

(More  knocking.) 

Lift,  lift  the  latch,  ye  madman.    Wait  a  bit; 
You've  locked  it  with  your  haste. 

(Opens  the  door.     Enter  Sigurd.) 

SIGURD 

Give  me  my  daughter!     Give  me  back  my  child, 
You  wicked  sorcerer!     You  have  her  here, 
And  with  your  spells  have  changed  her  to  a  beast. 
(Antonius  holds  up  a  crucifix.     Sigurd  falls 

back  and  cringes.) 
Mercy,  mercy!    It  is  on  me  now, 
Horrible  weakness  and  the  sweat  of  death. 
I  feel  it  coming!    The  dark  Weirds  of  Eld 
Wave  at  me  through  his  eyes.     Have  mercy, 

Father! 

Take  all  this  gold,  but  give  my  baby  back. 
(Produces  gold  bracelets  and  jewelry,  which  he 
puts  on  the  ground.) 

ANTONIUS 

(Puts  down  the  crucifix.) 
There  is  no  child,  except  my  Fulvia, 
That  lives  within  this  cell.    Thou  foolish  man, 
Put  up  thy  gold:   I  have  not  hid  thy  child. 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE        171 

SIGURD 

Her  very  footprints  have  I  followed  here, 
And  every  German  finger  pointed  here. 

ANTONIUS 

Wait,  you  shall  see  yourself. 
Fulvia!  my  little  girl!     (Calls.) 
(Enter  Fulvia.) 

Is  this  the  child?     My  Fulvia,  this  man 
Has  lost  his  little  girl  — 

(Fulvia  holds  up  the  tiny  crucifix  that  hangs  at 
her  girdle,  and  Sigurd  falls  to  the  ground 
and  wallows.) 

SIGURD 

Turn  it  away  from  me!    Oh  you  are  kind, 
Old  man.     The  white  witch  bites  the  worst. 
Turn  off  the  stream! 

FULVIA 
Who  is  this  wolfish  man,  good  god-papa? 

ANTONIUS.     (To  Sigurd.) 
Is  this  your  child,  fond  madman?    Is  it  she? 

SIGURD 
I  cannot  tell :  my  eyes  are  blind  with  light. 

ANTONIUS.     (To  Fulvia.) 
Put  down  the  cross  and  offer  him  your  hand. 
(As  Fulvia  offers  her  hand  Sigurd  shrinks  and 
retreats,  examining  her  intently.) 

SIGURD 
I  think  that  it  is  she,  but  in  a  trance. 

(Aside.) 

If  I  could  touch  her  with  my  mother's  salve 
I'd  turn  her  back  into  herself  again. 


172  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

(He  puts  something  on  his  hand  from  a  box. 
He  now  holds  out  his  hand,  and  Fulvia 
shrinks  and  retires  before  him,  still  holding 
out  her  hand.  Finally,  as  he  touches  her, 
she  screams  "Jesu,  Jesu"  holds  up  the  cru- 
cifix, and  falls  to  the  ground  in  a  swoon.} 

ANTONIUS 
Keep  off,  devils!     Off,  I  say. 

(Strikes  Sigurd.     To  Fulvia.} 
My  child,  my  child,  what  ails  thee? 

(To  Sigurd.}    Pagan  dog, 
What  hast  thou  done  to  her? 

(To  Fulvia.}     My  pretty  child, 
Speak  to  Antonius,  speak  to  old  papa. 

FULVIA.     (Half  conscious.} 
I  see  a  crown,  Antonius!     (Waking.} 

O  Father  Antony! 
I  saw  a  crown. 

ANTONIUS 

It  was,  —  it  is,  —  the  crown  of  martyrdom 
Predicted  at  your  birth,  my  Fulvia; 
And  which  from  time  to  time  above  your  head 
Glows  visibly.     It  is  not  to  be  feared. 

FULVIA 
Where  is  the  savage  man? 

ANTONIUS.     (To  Sigurd.} 

Get  up,  you  dog! 

Your  brutish  superstition  has  prevailed 
To  frighten  a  sweet  child. 

SIGURD     (Aside.} 

She  said  a  wolf. 
I'm  changing  to  a  wolf;   my  nails  are  claws 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE        173 

And  fur  is  on  my  head.    I  can't  get  up! 
I  can't  get  up! 

(Snarls  like  a  wolf  and  cries,  "I  can't  get  up, 
I  can't  get  up.") 

ANTONIUS.     (Kicking  him.) 
Get  up,  you  pagan  brute,  and  lick  the  feet 
That  seraphs  shall  adore  in  Paradise. 

FULVIA 

Father,  a  word.    Leave  me  alone  with  him. 
Believe  me,  I  am  guarded.    Go  away: 
I  can  restore  him  both  to  life  and  hope, 
And  get  him  back  the  child. 
ANTONIUS 
What  if  the  fiend  in  him  should  bark  at  grace? 

FULVIA 

(Pointing  to  the  door.} 
A  coward,  Father?     Have  I  not  my  cross? 

(Exit  Antonius.) 

(Arranges  her  hair  and  then  to  Sigurd.) 
Stand  up! 

(He  does  so,  trembling  in  every  limb.) 
So  you  are  Elsa's  father!     Do  you  love  her, 
And  follow  her,  and  love  and  follow  her 
Across  the  world? 

(Sigurd  makes  a  gesture  of  assent.) 
You  pagans  love  your  children? 

(Sigurd,  as  before.) 

Sigurd  the  farrier,  my  Elsa's  father,  — 
(She  suddenly  perceives  the  gold.) 
What  is  all  this  gold? 

SIGURD 

Ransom. 


174  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

FULVIA 

Ransom?      From   Christ  you   cannot   ransom 
her. 

SIGURD 
It  is  the  tribal  wealth  of  all  my  house. 

FULVIA 

Take  it  again:  no  gold  can  ransom  her. 
Take  it  again,  good  Sigurd,  souls  by  souls 
Alone   are   ransomed;     you    must    bring   your 

soul, 

Aye  and  the  souls  of  all  your  family, 
Ere  God  will  take  a  ransom  for  your  child. 

SIGURD 
How  can  I  catch  the  souls  to  bring  them  here? 

FULVIA 
O  Sigurd !    Come  yourself  and  they  will  follow. 

SIGURD 
How  do  I  know  your  power  to  find  the  child? 

FULVIA 
(Pushes  door  open,  and  in  an  inner  chamber 

shows  Elsa  asleep  on  a  couch.} 
Hush,  do  not  wake  her,  or  we  all  lose  all. 
She  is  half  lost  to  you,  half  found  to  us, 
And  both  of  us  may  lose  her  if  she  wake. 
Hush,  she  is  dreaming  of  her  newer  life 
And  sees  her  father's  house  across  a  gulf, 
Stretching  her  arms  to  draw  you  after  her. 
Hush,  or  we  wake  her. 

{Closes  the  door.} 

You  must  cross  the  gulf. 

SIGURD 
Elsa,  my  Elsa! 


CHRISTMAS  ONCE   MORE        175 

(He  would  leap  forward,  but  she  holds  up  the 
cross  and  he  gives  way,) 

I  must  cross  a  gulf? 

FULVIA 

Tomorrow  is  our  feast  and  holiday', 
Christmas,  the  Christian  Christmas.    On  that 

day 

We  hold  a  service  in  the  open  air, 
Making  a  theater  of  pine-tree  boughs, 
And  act  or  sing  some  pages  from  his  life 
By  whom  we  live.    O  Sigurd,  on  that  day, 
A  child  led  all  mankind  across  a  gulf; 
And  all  our  souls  went  flocking  after  him. 
Yours,  and  your  Elsa's  and  your  family's, 
They  beckon  you  to  come.    Upon  that  day 
The  troubled  shadows  flee  before  his  light 
And  leave  the  heavenly  legions  visible; 
And  you,  who  saw  your  Elsa's  sleeping  shadow, 
Shall  see  her  shining  soul  upon  that  day. 

SIGURD 
What  shall  I  do? 

FULVIA 

Do  nothing,  only  wait. 
Not  what  we  do,  but  what  is  done  to  us 
Makes  Christians  of  us. 

SIGURD 

Is  my  Elsa  safe? 

FULVIA 

As  safe  as  any  lamb  within  the  fold. 
Sigurd,  to-morrow  morning  seek  this  cell 
Before  the  east  is  flecked  with  cloudy  light, 
And  wait  Antonius'  greeting.     You  will  find 


176  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

A  busy,  glad,  united  company, 
Bustling  to  service.    Fear  us  not,  good  man, 
Your  friends  have  friends  among  us.    Will  you 
come  ? 

SIGURD 
Truly,  sweet  princess. 

FULVIA 

Witch,  you  said. 
SIGURD 

Oh  pardon. 

Truly,  most  noble  princess,  I  will  come. 
(Kisses  her  hand  and  exit.} 

FULVIA 

This  is  no  wolf, 

But  a  good  sheep  dog,  something  shaggy  yet, 
But  kind  within;  and  being  disciplined 
Will  leap  and  bark  about  the  flock  of  God, 
Or  lead  them  like  a  deacon  to  the  field, 
Play  father  to  the  white  and  woolly  lambs 
Born  in  the  faith,  and  teach  them  seriously, 
As  if  he  were  an  ancestor  of  Christ. 
God  made  these  Germans  fitter  to  receive 
Than  we  of  Rome  to  give  the  sacraments. 
(Calls.)     Elsa!     My  Elsa! 

(Enter  Elsa.) 

ELSA 
I  dreamed  I  heard  my  father  calling  me. 

FULVIA 
Perhaps  he  did. 

ELSA 

But  you  will  keep  him  out,  you  will  save  me 
and  snatch  me  from  the  burning?     You  said 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE        177 

you  would.  Will  you  baptize  me  now,  Fulvia? 
Oh,  I  want  to  feel  the  magic  water  changing  me 
all  inside,  and  making  me  into  a  bird.  Papa 
told  me  that  my  aunt  was  changed  into  a 
kingfisher  by  an  old  Christian  witch  who 
lives  on  nothing  but  acorns  and  washes  herself 
with  sand.  When  I'm  changed,  I'll  go  to  visit 
her  and  every  Sunday  I'll  bring  you  news  of 
the  spirits. 

FULVIA.      (Holds  up  the  cross.) 

Elsa!     Silence! 
ELSA 
(Instead  of  being  afraid  of  the  cross,  examines 

it  with  rapture.) 
Shall  I  have  one  like  this? 

FULVIA 

Benighted  child,  until  thou  do  repent 
Thou  canst  not  be  baptized.     A  baby  may, 
Because  a  baby  —  But  thou  art  a  person  of 
riper  years. 

ELSA.  (Bursts  into  tears.) 
Wow,  wow,  wow!  You  Christians  cheat! 
I'll  never  play  with  you  again.  My  father 
told  me  not  to  play  with  you.  Let  me  go 
home!  Let  me  go  home!  They  all  told  me 
you  were  bad.  You  nasty  old  thing. 

FULVIA 
Elsa,  dear  Elsa,  listen. 

ELSA 

Yes,  you  cheat. 
FULVIA 
Listen,  the  Hermit  Antony,  — 


178  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

ELSA 

Yes,  you  cheat. 
FULVIA 
It  all  is  in  these  words,  "being  penitent," 

ELSA.     (Snuffling.} 
Yes,  —  well,  — 

FULVIA 
Being  penitent,  —  you  then  may  be  baptized. 

ELSA 

Fulvia,  is  that  all?     I'm  penitent. 
See  if  I'm  not.     Come  feel  me,  Fulvia. 
I'm  penitent  all  over.     Old  papa 
Antonius  will  surely  let  me  in  — 

(The  sound  of  singing  or  of  a  few  solemn  chords 

is  heard.) 
What's  that? 

FULVIA 

It  is  the  Angel  Chorus  practising 
For  Christmas  service.     Elsa,  you  are  coming; 
And,  Sigurd,  your  papa  is  coming  too. 


PART  II 

THE    CANTATA 

(The  scene  which  is  to  follow  represents  the  play 
as  given  in  Cologne  in  A.D.  400,  not  only  as 
to  the  stage,  but  as  to  the  audience. 

The  audience  in  the  theater  or  hall  now  repre- 
sents the  assembly  of  early  Christians  who 
witness  the  play.  As  the  cantata  is  not' 
merely  a  play,  but  is,  in  a  sense,  a  service, 
the  audience  will  from  time  to  time  sing 
hymns,  which  form  a  part  of  the  cantata. 
The  first  two  or  three  rows  of  audience  are 
made  up  of  ten  or  twenty  children,  in  the 
costume  of  the  fourth  century.  These  children 
file  in  before  the  curtain  goes  up  and  fill  the 
seats,  which  have  been  vacant  during  Part  I. 
Among  them  are  seen  all  the  characters  in 
Part  I.  They  lead  in  the  singing  of  such 
hymns  as  are  herein  marked  "By  the  Con- 
gregation." The  general  audience  is  ex- 
pected to  sing  also.  The  words  of  the  hymns 
are  found  on  printed  leaflets  to  be  distributed. 
The  curtain  rises  and  discloses  the  scene, 
before  the  Stable  at  Bethlehem. 

The  stage   is  decorated  with  pines   and  ever- 
greens.    There    should    be    no    attempt    at 
scenery  nor  any  change  of  scene  except  as 
indicated   below.     On    the   left   side    of  the 
179 


i8o  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

stage,  about  halfway  back,  is  a  wooden  frame- 
work, to  indicate,  rather  than  represent,  the 
stable.  Within  it  sits  Mary  holding  the 
infant  Jesus  in  her  arms.  The  group  must 
be  as  little  as  possible  obscured  by  the  frame. 
Either  within  the  stable  behind  Mary,  or  on 
the  roof,  there  is  a  stand  for  the  Angel,  who 
soon  appears.  The  Angel  is  supposed  to  be 
standing  on  the  roof,  and  is  unseen  by  Mary. 
Mary  remains  throughout  the  cantata  in  an 
almost  unconscious  state  of  contemplation. 
The  three  shepherds  are  asleep  on  the  ground.} 

INSTRUMENTAL  PRELUDE 
BY  THE  CONGREGATION 

Jesu,  Jesu  in  the  skies, 
Now  thy  sacred  play  begin; 
Through  the  windows  of  our  eyes 
Shine  upon  our  hearts  within. 

Since  thy  days  upon  the  earth, 
Ah,  how  many  years  have  flown: 
All  are  dead  who  saw  thy  birth, 
All  to  whom  thy  face  was  known. 

Yet  thy  birthday  do  we  keep, 
Trusting  thou  wilt  soon  appear; 
Ah,  delay  not,  for  the  sheep 
Long  to  have  the  shepherd  near. 

Jesu,  Jesu  in  the  skies, 
Now  thy  sacred  play  begin; 
Through  the  windows  of  our  eyes 
Shine  upon  our  hearts  within. 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE        181 

(The  three  shepherds  rise,  look  about,  and  then 
sing.) 

THE  SHEPHERDS 
We  were  seated  on  the  ground, 
Half  asleep,  when  we  awoke.  • 
All  at  once  it  shined  around, 
From  the  clouds  the  glory  broke. 

And  the  angel  voices  sang 
Sweeter  than  the  Psalmist's  songs; 
Gloriously  their  voices  rang, 
"Glory,  God,  to  thee  belongs." 

Hark!  again  their  voices  ring! 
Hark!  again  I  hear  them  sing! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS.     (Unseen.) 
Glory,  Glory,  Glory 
Be  to  God  on  high; 
And  to  earth  again 
Peace  and  good-will  to  men. 

Amen,  amen. 

THE  SHEPHERDS 
Faded  are  the  voices  clear; 
We  are  sunk  once  more  in  night, 
Unless  an  angel  shall  appear 
And  lead  us  by  his  light. 

ANGEL 

(An  angel  has  appeared  on  the  roof  of  the  stable. 
The  angel  does  not  sing,  but  speaks,  being 
accompanied  by  instrumental  music,  except 
as  otherwise  noted.) 

Fear   not:     for    behold,    I    bring   you    good 


182  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

tidings  of  great  joy  which  shall  be  to  all  people. 
For  unto  you  is  born  this  day  in  the  City  of 
David  a  Saviour,  which  is  Christ  the  Lord. 

BY  THE  CONGREGATION 
Haste  ye  shepherds  of  the  plain, 
Haste  to  where  your  Lord  is  lain. 
In  a  manger  ye  shall  find  him, 
And  in  swaddling  clothes  they  bind  him. 
Haste,  good  shepherds,  haste  again. 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS.    (Unseen.} 
Glory,  Glory,  Glory 
Be  to  God  on  high; 
And  on  earth  again 
Peace  and  good-will  to  men. 

Amen,  amen. 
(Enter  the  three  kings  bearing  their  gifts.} 

ANGEL 

Wise  men,  wise  men,  marvel  not: 
Here  your  star  has  come  to  rest. 
Seek  within  this  humble  cot 
For  the  Saviour  of  the  West. 

BY  THE  CONGREGATION 
Haste,  good  kings,  to  tell  your  story, 
Kneeling  down  before  the  glory. 
Caspar,  Melchior,  Balthazar, 
Open  each  your  golden  treasure 
Lest  the  shepherds  run  before  ye. 

THE  THREE  KINGS 
Be  thou  angel,  be  thou  star, 
Flaming  beacon  of  the  sky, 


CHRISTMAS  ONCE   MORE        183 

We  do  follow  from  afar; 

Where  thou  leadest  we  must  hie. 

We  beheld  the  starlike  thing,  — 
Old  we  were  and  wise  we  were,  — 
To  the  new-born  king  we  bring 
Gold  and  frankincense  and  myrrh. 

Hark!     What  voices  from  on  high 
Warn  us  that  the  Lord  is  nigh. 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 

Glory,  Glory,  Glory 

Be  to  God  on  high; 

And  on  earth  again 

Peace  and  good-will  to  men. 

Amen,  amen. 

FIRST  SHEPHERD 
(Speaking,  not  singing,  and  without  musical 

accompaniment.     To  the  kings.} 
But  wherefore  myrrh,  but  wherefore  bring  ye 
myrrh  ? 

FIRST  KING.     (Ditto.) 
It  is  a  perfume  and  a  holy  drug, 
Fit  for  the  toilet  of  an  infant  king; 
And  haply  ye  shall  use  it  once  again. 

FIRST  SHEPHERD.     (Ditto.) 
What  other  use,  O  wise  men?     Say  what  use. 

FIRST  KING.     (Ditto.) 
When  ye  anoint  his  body  for  the  tomb. 

ANGEL 

Silly  shepherds,  ask  no  more: 
More  ye  have  no  need  to  know. 


184  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

Kneel  but  a  while  before  this  door, 

And  on  your  way  rejoicing  go. 

This  is  your  feast. 

But  you,  ye  wise  men  of  the  East, 

With  you  it  is  not  so; 

For  ye  are  old  and  wise,  and  ye  are  sad  and 

slow, 
And  ye  have  followed  from  exceeding  far, 

Obedient  to  the  star, 

And  left  your  lives  and  left  your  age  behind. 
Myrrh  have  ye  brought  his  sacred  limbs  to 

bind, 
The  bitter  myrrh  that  purges  the  sad  mind, 

And  makes  the  tears  to  flow. 
Then  men,  old  men,  rejoicing  as  ye  go, 
Mingle  your  myrrh  with  incense,  yea,  and  gold, 
And  with  the  tears  that  ye  may  not  withhold, 

Knowing  the  things  ye  know. 
It  is  a  precious  offering  that  ye  bring 
To  this  the  infant  king. 
Kneel  all  of  you  below, 
And  sing  your  hymn. 

(The  Shepherds  and  Kings  kneel,  forming  a 
symmetrical  group  before  the  Virgin.} 

CHORALE  DOXOLOGY 

(In  which  the  Chorus  of  Angels,  Kings,  Shep- 
herds, and  Congregation  join;   with  instru- 
ments', or  organ.} 
O  God,  from  whom  proceedeth  light, 

Thy  doings  we  adore. 
The  angels  move  within  thy  sight, 
And  bow  thy  works  before. 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE        185 

Above  this  baby's  head  arrayed 

Is  all  the  heavenly  host. 
Praise  to  the  Father,  to  the  Son, 

And  to  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Amen. 

ANGEL.     (Music.) 
Hark!  melodious  magic  falls 
From  the  gates  of  heaven's  halls. 
O'er  the  mother  float  the  charms, 
O'er  the  baby  in  her  arms. 
Lo,  she  sleeps,  the  Virgin  mild 
Is  safely  sleeping  like  the  child.      .   ' 
From  her  eyes  the  shepherds  fade, 
And  the  kings  pass  far  away; 
All  things  have  become  a  shade, 
All  things  the  same  fate  obey,  — 
Melt  and  merge  and  pass  away. 
( The  lights  have  been  gradually  turned  down.) 
And  behold,  a  newer  seeming, 
Through  the  dusk  a  kind  of  gleaming; 
In  the  shadow  of  the  rafter, 
Stand  new  images  of  light; 
Pictures  of  a  deep  hereafter 
Gild  the  drowsy  taper's  light. 
And  the  mother's  eyes  behold 
All  the  baby's  life  to  come, 
From  the  cradle  to  the  tomb. 
But  the  meaning  is  not  told, 
Though  the  pictures  are  unrolled; 
She  the  meaning  must  not  know; 
Only  dimly  like  a  show 
One  by  one  the  pictures  go. 


1 86  NEPTUNE'S   ISLE 

(The  lights  have  been  turned  up  gradually. 
The  shepherds  and  kings  have  vanished  and 
instead  of  them  are  shown  John  the  Baptist 
and  one  or  two  of  his  followers.  The  scenes 
of  the  vision  which  follow  should  be  stiffly 
and  not  dramatically  handled.  They  should 
suggest  the  early  mosaics.  John  is  in  the 
act  of  baptizing.) 

BY  THE  CONGREGATION 
Open  now  our  ears  to  hear, 
For  the  angel  trumpet  bloweth; 
Let  our  eyes  be  wide  and  clear, 
For  the  light  of  heaven  gloweth. 

In  repentance  and  in  ruth 
Let  our  sins  be  washed  away; 
In  the  waters  of  his  truth, 
Be  we  rebaptized  to-day. 

ANGEL 

The  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness, 
Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make  his  paths 
straight.  *  *  *  Thou  shalt  baptize  with 
water,  but  there  cometh  one  after  thee  who 
shall  baptize  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with 
fire.  *  *  * 

(These  stars  denote  instrumental  music,  which 
should  occasionally  prefigure  the  words  and 
images  to  come.) 

Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away 
the  sins  of  the  world. 

(The  angel  points  with  a  rod  or  golden  arrow. 
John's  disciples  do  not  see  the  angel,  but  they 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE        187 

turn  mechanically  and  look  in  the  direction 
indicated.  John  is  obscured  for  a  moment 
and  steps  off  the  stage  at  the  back.) 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS.     (Unseen.) 
Hosanna!     Hosanna! 
(A  brilliant  chorus  to  last  about  one  minute.) 

ANGEL 

Bring  forth  the  blind  people  that  have  eyes 
and  the  deaf  that  have  ears.  To  open  the  blind 
eyes  and  bring  out  the  prisoners  from  the  prison, 
and  them  that  sat  in  darkness  out  of  the  prison 
house.  *  *  *  Bring  forth  my  witnesses  saith 
the  Lord.  *  *  * 

(Enter  one  bearing  a  crutch.) 
Arise,  take  up  thy  bed  and  walk.  *  *  * 

(Enter  another.) 
I  will;  be  thou  clean.  *  *  * 
(Enter  a  third.) 

Thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee.  *  *  *  Lazarus, 
come  forth! 

(Enter  Lazarus  bound  in  grave  clothes.) 

*  *  *  Daughter  of  Jairus,  arise  and  walk. 

(Enter  daughter  of  Jairus.) 
Thou  son  of  the  widow  of  NainT  —  thou  son 
of  the  nobleman  of  Capernaum. 
(Enter  these  two.) 

*  *  *  Mary  Magdalene,  out  of  whom  were 
cast  seven  devils. 

(Enter  Mary  Magdalene  and  others.  The 
healed  and  redeemed  people  stand  in  a 
motionless  group  or  tableau.) 


i88  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

BY  THE  CONGREGATION 
Crippled  Christian,  drop  thy  crutch, 
And  thy  soul  and  flesh  shall  live. 
Christ  hath  saved  thee  with  his  touch; 
Christ  doth  every  sin  forgive. 

Ye  have  sought  him  in  the  press: 
Virtue  flowed  your  ringers  through. 
Crippled  Christian,  rise  and  bless; 
Ye  are  saved,  if  ye  but  knew. 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
Who  be  ye  that  walk  erect? 

BY  THE  CONGREGATION 

Halleluja! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
Be  ye  Christ's  and  God's  elect? 

BY  THE  CONGREGATION 

Halleluja! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
Or  sinners,  lost,  discarded,  wrecked? 
BY  THE  CONGREGATION 

Halleluja! 
CHORUS  OF  ANGELS:         Ye 


,5  ^  T17    i  be  those  on  whom 

BY  THE  CONGREGATION:  We 

descended 

Faith;   by  faith  our  ills  are  ended, 
Found,  forgiven,  changed,  and  mended. 

Halleluja! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
Where  be  now  your  sorrows  flown? 
BY  THE  CONGREGATION 

Halleluja! 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE        189 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
Thought  of  anguish,  sound  of  groan  ? 
BY  THE  CONGREGATION 

Halleluja! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
The  heart  of  God  doth  take  its  own. 
BY  THE  CONGREGATION 

Halleluja! 
CHORUS  OF  ANGELS:         Ye 


t^  TT7    r  be  those  on  whom 

BY  THE  CONGREGATION:  We 

descended 

Faith;   by  faith  our  ills  are  ended, 
Found,  forgiven,  changed,  and  mended. 

Halleluja! 

(Enter  many  small  children,  some  of  them 
bearing  others  still  smaller  in  their  arms,  and 
group  themselves  in  front  of  the  redeemed.} 

ANGEL 

( To  accompany  entrance  of  the  children.} 
Except  ye  be  converted  and  become  as  little 
children  ye  cannot  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven.  *  *  *  For  in  heaven  their  Angels  do 
always  behold  the  face  of  my  father  which  is  in 
heaven. 

BY  THE  CONGREGATION 
Ye  on  whom  his  hands  we,re  laid, 
Little  children,  cluster  here. 
"Suffer  them  to  come,"  he  said. 
Little  children,  come  ye  here. 

Wisely  had  your  mothers  guessed, 
(Fear  not  what  disciples  say) 


190  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

When  they  laid  you  on  his  breast; 
Ye  shall  not  be  kept  away. 
(The  instruments  -play  a  new  chord.} 

ANGEL 

Hark,  the  heavenly  family 
Chanting  words  that  shall  not  die. 
Hark  again! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 

Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart  for  they  shall 
see  God. 

ANGEL 
Hark,  hark  again! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 

Come  unto   me  all   ye  that  suffer  and   are 
heavy  laden  and  I  will  give  you  rest. 

ANGEL 
Hark,  nay  hark! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
Love  your  enemies. 

ANGEL 
Hark! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
Resist  not  evil;  but  overcome  evil  with  good. 

ANGEL 
Hark! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 

I  am  the  Good  Shepherd  that  giveth  his  life 
for  the  sheep. 

ANGEL 
Harken  yet,  ye  faithful. 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
Thy  faith  hath  saved  thee.     Go  in  peace. 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE        191 

(The  last  words,  "Go  in  peace,"  are  continued 
decrescendo  while  the  redeemed  disperse. 
The  stage  is  empty  and  the  Angel  continues. 
The  transition  to  the  next  episode,  whether 
by  a  full  close  or  by  modulation,  must  be  left 
to  the  musician.  The  following  tableaux 
should  be  hardly  divided  by  pauses,  but 
should  form  a  continuously  moving  show, 
accompanied  by  the  AngeUs  words  and  by 
music.} 

ANGEL 

Ye  know  that  after  two  days  is  the  feast  of 
the  Passover  and  the  Son  of  Man  is  betrayed 
to  be  crucified.  *  *  * 

Then  assembled  together  the  Chief  Priests 
and  Scribes  and  the  elders  of  the  people  and 
consulted  that  they  might  kill  him. 

(Enter  two  or  three  chief  priests  and  scribes  in 

consultation.} 

Then  one  of  the  twelve  called  Judas  Iscariot 
went  unto  the  chief  priests. 

(Enter  Judas.} 

And  they  covenanted  with  him  for  thirty 
pieces  of  silver. 

(The  money  is  paid  over  to  Judas.} 
And  from  that  time  he  sought  opportunity 
to  betray  him. 

(Exeunt  priests  and  Judas.} 
Pilate  saith  unto  them 

(Enter  Pilate.} 

What  shall  I  do  with  Jesus  which  is  called 
Christ? 


192  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

They  all  say  unto  him,  Let  him  be  cruci- 
fied. *  *  * 

Pilate  took  water  and  washed  his  hands 
before  the  multitude,  saying,  I  am  innocent  of 
the  blood  of  this  just  person.  See  ye  to  it. 

(A  basin  has  been  brought  in  and  Pilate  washes 
his  hands.} 

And  they  stripped  him 

(Enter  servants  bearing  scarlet  robe,  crown  of 

thorns,  reed,  and  rods.) 

and  put  on  him  a  scarlet  robe;  and  when  they 
had  platted  a  crown  of  thorns,  they  put  it  on 
his  head,  and  a  reed  in  his  right  hand.  *  *  * 
And  as  they  came  out  they  found  a  man  of 
Cyrene,  Simon  by  name; 

(Enter  Simon  bearing  the  cross  with  the  inscrip- 
tion upon  it.) 

and  him  they  compelled  to  bear  the  cross.  *  *  * 
And  they  parted  his  garments,  casting  lots. 

(Enter  soldiers,  one  with  a  bloody  spear,  one 
with  a  reed  on  which  is  a  sponge,  others  with 
articles  of  apparel,  sandals,  girdle,  shirt 
without  seam.  For  some  moments  the  light 
has  been  failing;  the  darkness  is  all  but 
absolute.) 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 

I  came  forth  from  the  Father,  and  am  come 
into  the  world :  Again,  I  leave  the  world,  and  go 
to  the  Father. 

Behold,  the  hour  cometh,  yea,  is  now  come, 
that  ye  shall  be  scattered,  every  man  to  his  own, 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE        193 

and  shall  leave  me  alone:    and  yet  I  am  not 
alone,  because  the  Father  is  with  me. 

These  things  I  have  spoken  unto  you,  that 
in  me  ye  might  have  peace.  In  the  world  ye 
shall  have  tribulation:  but  be  of  good  cheer; 
I  have  overcome  the  world. 

( The  music  fails;  dead  silence.}  A  very  small 
light  shows  Joseph  of  Arimathea  bearing 
grave  clothes.  He  is  dressed,  as  in  Michael 
Angela's  sculpture,  in  a  pointed  hood  which 
is  tied  under  his  chin,  and  wears  a  cloak. 
He  stoops  very  low.} 

ANGEL.     (Music  again.} 
When  the  even  was  come  there  came  a  rich 
man  of   Arimathea,  named    Joseph,  who  also 
himself  was  Jesus'  disciple. 

And  when  Joseph  had  taken  the  body,  he 
wrapped  it  in  a  clean  linen  cloth  and  laid  it  in 
his  own  new  tomb,  which  he  had  hewn  out  in 
the  rock. 

(Exit  Joseph.} 
BY  THE  CONGREGATION 
Weep  your  Saviour's  loss, 
Him  that  none  might  save. 
They  have  nailed  him  to  the  cross, 
And  borne  him  to  the  grave. 

Weep  ye:   weep  ye. 

Ye  must  wash  his  feet, 

And  enwrap  with  care 

His  youthful  flesh  with  spices  sweet, 

And  for  the  grave  prepare. 

Weep  ye:   weep  ye. 


194  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

(More  light.     Enter  Mary  the  mother  of  Jesus 
and  Mary  Magdalene.} 

ANGEL 

Fear  not  ye;  ye  seek  Jesus  which  was  cruci- 
fied. He  is  not  here,  for  he  is  risen.  See  the 
place  where  the  Lord  lay. 

(A  great  light,  or  flash  of  light,  shows  the  empty 
tomb.     Then  darkness.} 

ANGEL 

Shadowy,  picture  things  adieu,  — 
Bringing  glory,  bringing  pain,  — 
We  have  seen  and  thought  of  you 
Ye  be  mighty,  ye  be  true, 
And  if  ye  fade  it  is  to  shine  again  — 
Yes,  to  illumine  us  whose  lives  are  new 
And  who  but  understand  as  babies  do, 
Or  flowers  refreshed  by  rain. 

(The  light  has  been  dawning.} 
For  the  Christmas  morn  is  gleaming, 
And  the  mother  with  her  child 
Wakes  to  greet  the  shepherds  mild. 
She  who  slept  and  has  been  dreaming, 
Dreaming  all  these  moments  through, 
Wakes  to  hear  the  shepherds  singing 
And  to  find  the  wise  men  bringing 
Precious  gifts,  as  wise  men  do. 
Just  a  moment  did  she  sleep; 
Now  she  wakes  and  finds  them  near, 
Gently  wakes  and  smiles  to  hear 
The     piping     shepherds     and     the     tinkling 
sheep. 


CHRISTMAS   ONCE   MORE       195 

(Light  again.  The  shepherds  and  wise  men  are 
found  in  somewhat  the  same  positions  as  at 
the  first  discovery.) 

SHEPHERDS.     (Sing.) 
We  were  seated  on  the  ground 
Half  asleep  when  we  awoke. 
All  at  once  it  shined  around, 
From  the  clouds  the  glory  broke. 

And  the  angel  voices  sang, 
Sweeter  than  the  Psalmist's  songs, 
Gloriously  their  voices  rang,  — 
"Glory,  God,  to  thee  belongs." 

Hark!   again  their  voices  ring! 
Hark!  again  I  hear  them  sing! 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 
Glory,  Glory,  Glory 
Be  to  God  on  high; 
And  on  earth  again 
Peace  and  good-will  to  men. 

Amen,  amen. 

(Sigurd  and  Elsa  have  found  their  way  to  the 
stage  and  are  now  seen  kneeling  among  the 
shepherds  and  kings.) 

CHORALE 

(In  which  the  Chorus  of  Angels,  the  Shepherds, 
the  Kings,  and  the  Congregation  all  join.) 
O  God  from  whom  proceedeth  light, 
Thy  doings  we  adore. 
The  angels  move  within  thy  sight 


196  NEPTUNE'S  ISLE 

And  bow  thy  works  before. 
Above  this  baby's  head  arrayed 
Is  all  the  Heavenly  Host. 
Praise  to  the  Father,  to  the  Son 
And  to  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Amen. 


THE    END 


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